Georgia Assistant Principal Arrested for Shoplifting at Walmart

Courtney Janell Shaw, a 47-year-old assistant principal at Free Home Elementary School in Cumming, Georgia, was arrested on January 19, 2023, following allegations of shoplifting from a Walmart store in Woodstock. Investigators linked Shaw to a series of thefts totaling approximately $943.97, involving 98 items stolen between November 2 and December 31, 2022. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office reported that Shaw utilized a "stacking" method at self-checkout kiosks, where she would scan only one item while concealing others beneath it.

Assistant principal arrested after ‘using stacking trick to steal 98 times from Walmart self checkout’Georgia assistant principal accused of stealing nearly $1K in Walmart merchandise at self-checkoutAssistant principal in Cherokee County charged in Walmart shoplifting case, deputies sayElementary school assistant principal steals from Walmart nearly 100 times in 2 months, cops say

The investigation commenced on January 12, 2023, when a Walmart employee provided surveillance footage to law enforcement, showing Shaw engaging in the alleged thefts. Using a driver’s license database, deputies identified Shaw as the suspect. Two vehicles, a 2018 Ford F-150 and a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, registered to Shaw, were located at her residence shortly after the identification. Following the investigation, Shaw was charged with one felony count of shoplifting and subsequently released on a $4,875 bond.

Assistant principal in Cherokee County charged in Walmart shoplifting case, deputies say

Shaw has over two decades of experience in education, having started her career as a fifth-grade teacher in North Carolina before moving to Florida and eventually Georgia in 2006. She joined Free Home Elementary School in 2024 as the first full-time assistant principal. Prior to this role, she served as an assistant principal at Bascomb Elementary School for eight years.

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The Cherokee County School District confirmed Shaw's employment and stated that she was placed on administrative leave immediately upon the allegations being reported. The district emphasized that maintaining the safety and security of students and staff is a top priority and that inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated.

Elementary school assistant principal steals from Walmart nearly 100 times in 2 months, cops say

While the district has expressed its commitment to student safety, some community members have raised concerns about the implications of such behavior from an educational leader. Critics argue that the incident undermines trust in school officials and raises questions about oversight within the district.

Elementary school assistant principal steals from Walmart nearly 100 times in 2 months, cops say

Shaw's next court appearance is scheduled for March 5, 2023. The outcome of the legal proceedings will determine the next steps for both Shaw and the Cherokee County School District as they navigate the implications of this incident.

Elementary school assistant principal steals from Walmart nearly 100 times in 2 months, cops say

• “Immediately upon these allegations being reported, the employee was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of internal and law enforcement investigations,” — Cherokee County School District

Georgia assistant principal accused of stealing nearly $1K in Walmart merchandise at self-checkout

• “Maintaining the safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority and inappropriate conduct will never be tolerated.” — Cherokee County School District

Georgia assistant principal accused of stealing nearly $1K in Walmart merchandise at self-checkout