Jasper County employee arrested for allegedly misusing $17K in county funds

A 31-year-old employee of Jasper County’s community development department was arrested today for allegedly embezzling more than $17,000.

According to a press release from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office, the county attorney’s office requested law enforcement on June 26 to conduct a criminal investigation on another county employee. The internal investigation determined there was a misuse of county funds.

Shelby Hobbs, of Newton, was arrested and charged with first-degree theft (Class C felony) and 11 counts of forgery (Class D felony). Hobbs has since been transported to the Jasper County Jail. The investigation found about $17,458.41 was utilized for unauthorized expenses.