Full Breakdown
Woman Charged with Identity Theft for Posting Arrest Warrant on Social Media
3/15/2026, 11:10:12 PM
Incident Overview
Emilee “Emma” Berger, a 48-year-old resident of Monroe County, Tennessee, has been charged with identity theft after allegedly posting an arrest warrant on social media that contained sensitive personal information about Mitchell Cook, a registered sex offender. The warrant, shared on a Facebook group titled “Uncensored Voices of Monroe County Revamped,” included Cook's Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license number, and full name. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office reported that Cook did not authorize anyone to publish his personal information.
Details of the Incident
On March 11, 2026, Berger initially posted the warrant without redacting Cook's personal details. Following a notification from another individual, she claimed to have redacted the information and reposted the warrant. However, the next day, she acknowledged in a subsequent post that the original warrant had been shared without any redactions. Sheriff Tommy Jones noted that the copy of the warrant posted on Facebook contained a visible line, indicating it was scanned from the Monroe County Clerk of Court’s electronic system. This line is automatically applied to documents in the court system, suggesting that the copy Berger posted was obtained from an authorized source.
Investigation Findings
The Monroe County Clerk of Court, Dewayna Martin, requested an audit of the court system after the incident. The audit revealed that only two individuals accessed the system during the time frame when the warrant was entered and subsequently appeared on social media. Notably, no employees from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office or the clerk’s office accessed the case during this period. The investigation into how the document was accessed and distributed is ongoing.
Legal Implications
Berger has been charged with identity theft (trafficking) under Tennessee Code Annotated 39-14-150, as Cook's personal information is legally protected and cannot be disclosed to the public. She was taken into custody on March 13, 2026, and later released after posting a $3,000 bond.
Official Statements
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has urged the public to refrain from relying on unverified information circulating on social media. They emphasized the importance of waiting for accurate information released directly by the sheriff's office regarding ongoing investigations.
Criticism & Opposition
While the sheriff's office has not faced significant public dissent regarding the handling of this case, the incident raises concerns about the security of sensitive information within the court system and the potential for misuse of such data on social media platforms.
What's Next
The investigation into the unauthorized access and distribution of the arrest warrant remains active, with findings being forwarded to the appropriate authorities for further action.
