THOMASVILLE, Georgia – A months-long Thomas County Sheriff’s Office investigation resulted in a guilty plea and two arrests.

According to Captain Tim Watkins, Chief Sheriff’s Office Investigator, Shadricka Montreal Howard, 29, Dixie, tricked people into impersonating her mother and grandfather when applying for the loan.

“She went to loan companies in Valdosta and Moultrie and got loans on behalf of her real mother and grandfather,” Watkins said.

Howard Quitman’s roommate Shayolana Bridges 29, Valdosta, pretended to be her mother in Valdosta and got loans totaling $ 10,000. Willie James Whitehead, 52, of Valdosta, posed as Howard’s grandfather and got $ 19,500 in loans.

Bridges, who was arrested in January, pleaded guilty to fraud and identity tampering in Thomas County last week. She was ordered to pay compensation. Bridges is being held in Valdosta, where she faces further charges in this case.

Howard and Whitehead were sentenced to Thomas County jail on Tuesday.

Watkins said Howard and Whitehead were using fake driver’s licenses, adding that the activity started in December 2020.