Former Executive Director of the Constitutional Officer’s Association of Georgia Pleads Guilty to Felony Theft Charges – Sentenced to 15 Years

MADISON COUNTY, Ga. – On September 19, 2023, Melissa Branyon Tolbert pleaded guilty to 9 counts of felony theft charges and was sentenced to 15 years, 3 years in prison, then 12 years on probation, and a $5,000 fine.

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GBI Makes Arrest in Theft Investigation

Danielsville, GA (September 29, 2022) – The GBI has arrested and charged Melissa Branyon Tolbert, age 42, of Danielsville, GA, with five felony counts of theft by taking.

On July 29, 2022, the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office requested the GBI investigate stolen funds from the Constitutional Officers Association of Georgia (COAG) bank account. The theft, originally reported by officers of COAG, concerned several unauthorized transactions while Tolbert was employed with COAG from May of 2018 to June of 2022. During this time, she had access to the stolen funds.

This investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the GBI Athens Field Office at (706) 552-2309. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.