COVINGTON, Ga. - Former Newton County jailer William Ellis Chesson of Covington was arrested Feb. 1, 2018 on felony shoplifting charges.
The arrest came after a Covington detective was contacted by a Walmart Asset Protection associate with video evidence allegedly showing Chesson, in his uniform, shoplifting more than $500 worth of merchandise during at least 21 incidents between Nov. 13, 2017 and Jan. 29, 2018.
The items included clothing, personal hygiene products, medication, frozen foods, produce and electronics, and other items.
Police said Chesson would visit the store in the early morning hours between 5-7:15 a.m. and conceal the items in his clothing. On at least one occasion, police said Chesson took some items to his car, then returned to the store and acquired more items.
In addition, Chesson is a suspect in a shoplifting incident a the same Walmart in March 2017, police said.
The case has been turned over to the Newton County District Attorney's Office and is pending trial.
