Union County Woman Arrested for Attempting to Make Money From Local Tragedy

Posey

HOUSTON, Miss. (Press Release) –A Union County woman has been arrested for allegedly attempting to make money from a tragic situation, announced Attorney General Jim Hood today.

Janet Posey, 39, of Blue Springs, was arrested last night at her home in Union County by investigators with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division with assistance from the Union County Sheriff’s Office. Posey is charged with one count attempted false pretense and one count communications fraud for allegedly setting up a scam to fundraise donations for the family of Jessica Lane Chambers, whose death is under investigation in Panola County.

“Family members and friends of the family brought their concerns about the site to our attention,” said Attorney General Hood. “Because we will be prosecuting the case, we cannot discuss any details of our case at this time. I would like to thank Sheriff Jimmy Edwards for his assistance in this arrest.”

Posey was booked into the Union County Detention Center. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years behind bars (10 for false pretense and five for communications fraud). As with all cases, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by Richie McCluskey and Miller Faulk and will be prosecuted by Special Assistant Attorney General Shaun Yurtkuran of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.