GBI Arrests Chattanooga Man on Felony Theft Charge Following Chattooga County Financial Investigation

CHATTOOGA, COUNTY, Ga. – An investigation into suspicious activity involving Chattooga County financial accounts has resulted in a felony arrest, according to the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Mark A. Schrader said he requested assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on March 17, 2025, after county officials alerted him to irregularities found within several accounts in the county’s financial records. The request followed discussions with the county auditor regarding the reported activity.

On January 9, 2026, agents with the GBI arrested Jonathan Wesley Allen, of Chattanooga, on one count of felony theft by taking. The charge stems from an investigation connected to the Zentel Communications, LLC project.

Allen was booked into the Chattooga County Jail and is awaiting a bond hearing.

Sheriff Schrader said he spoke with the GBI special agent assigned to the case and the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, both of which advised that the investigation and review of the complaints involving the accounts have been completed. Authorities do not anticipate any additional arrests related to the matter.

The case was investigated by the GBI with assistance from local and judicial officials.