Bail bonds play an integral part in the criminal justice process. However, in Georgia, a well-known bail bondsman is now facing charges after she was arrested.
The Newnan Times-Herald reported Gina Martin Dodds, 39, was taken into custody by the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office.
She was charged with one count of theft by conversion and later released on a bond.
The Times-Herald reported her former employer, 24/7 Best Bonds told investigators they allege she stole money from the company from May of 2016. The media report cited a police record that stated the amount totaled $24, 250.
The police report stated when Best Bond Owner Julie Ford realized money was not properly documented, she completed an audit on her business dating back to January 2016. The audit allegedly included the bonds that Dodds signed.
The Times-Herald report stated the final paperwork allegedly showed Dodds collected 53 bonds. She is accused of not turned the money over to the company, stated a CCSO report. The dollar amounts in question ranged from $200 to $3,000.
Dodds is accused of committing the same crime in Meriwether County where she also carried out work for 24/7 Best Bonds, the police report stated. That amount was $6,720, according to the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office.
While Dodds admitted she was arrested in both counties, she denied the charges against her.
The crime of theft by conversion is defined under Title 16 of the Georgia code.
A defendant commits the offense of theft by conversion if he or she lawfully obtained funds or other property but knowingly converts the funds of property for personal use in violation of an agreement.
The code section applies whether the application or disposition of money is to be made from the funds or property of another party or from the accused’s own funds or property in equivalent amount if there is an agreement that the accused may deal with the funds or property of another as his own.
The punishment for felony theft by conversion is linked to the value of the property or funds involved. For any amount above $1,500 but under $5,000, the punishment is a prison sentence of one to five years.
When the amount is above $5,000 and below $25,000, the defendant faces a sentence of one to 10 years in prison. You may be jailed for up to 20 years if the amount in question is $25,000 or greater.
If you are charged with this offense or another theft crime, it’s important to hire an experienced Georgia criminal defense lawyer. Call the Law Office of Michael West at (404) 913-1529.