According to the Mississippi State Auditor’s Office, former Benton County Tax Assessor Shannon Wilburn was arrested on charges of embezzlement.

State Auditor Shad White confirmed that Special Agents apprehended Wilburn, accusing him of misappropriating over $300,000 from daily collections paid to the Benton County Tax Collector’s office for his personal use.

“The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s Office will continue to work closely with prosecutors to get record results, one case at a time,” said Auditor Shad White in a statement.

Wilburn faces severe penalties if convicted, including up to $5,000 in fines and 20 years in prison. It is important to note that all individuals arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

A $200,000 surety bond was in place to cover Wilburn’s role as Tax Assessor, acting as a safeguard against potential corruption and protecting taxpayers. Additionally, Benton County maintains an insurance policy to cover theft-related losses.

The State Auditor’s Office encourages anyone with information on suspected fraud to report it via their website or by calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during regular business hours.