Sheriff: Woman arrested for posing as Harrison Co. deputy, scamming victims out of thousands of dollars

HARRISON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) - A 24-year-old from Savannah, Georgia was arrested after Harrison County Sheriff Matt Haley says she scammed victims out of thousands of dollars.

Sheriff Haley says Sharontay Rice was arrested and charged with two felony counts of false pretense.

According to Sheriff Haley, Harrison County Criminal Investigation Division has been investigating phone scams where an individual posing as a Harrison County Sheriff Deputy demands payment from a citizen in order for the citizen to avoid arrest.

Thursday, Harrison County investigators received two reports of these scams where both victims met the suspect at the Biloxi Courthouse. The victims were scammed out of around $28,000.

Investigators were able to get information on the suspect that led to the identification and arrest of Rice.

They then conducted a search warrant of Rice’s hotel room and recovered the $28,000.

Rice was booked into the Harrison County Adult Detention Center and is being held until her initial appearance per Justice Court Judge B. Ladner.

Sheriff Haley wants to remind the public that no deputies will collect money from citizens. Any suspicious phone calls should be reported to the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office.

This is an ongoing investigation involving multiple jurisdictions.

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