Inheritance Battle Leads to Arrest of French Widow in Alabama

Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé, an 85-year-old French widow, was arrested by immigration agents in January at her late husband Bill Ross's home in Anniston, Alabama. This incident occurred against the backdrop of a contentious inheritance battle following Mr. Ross's death. The arrest has raised questions about the involvement of Mr. Ross's younger son, Tony Ross, a retired Alabama state trooper, who is alleged to have used his position to facilitate the arrest.

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Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé and Bill Ross, both widowed and in their 80s, rekindled their relationship after meeting decades earlier when Mr. Ross was stationed in France with the U.S. military. After falling in love, Ms. Ross-Mahé relocated from France to Alabama to marry him. However, following Mr. Ross's death, a dispute arose between Ms. Ross-Mahé and his two sons regarding the inheritance, leading to the current legal and immigration turmoil.

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• Marie-Thérèse Ross-Mahé: The widow from France, now detained in Louisiana.

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• Bill Ross: The deceased husband of Ms. Ross-Mahé, whose estate is under dispute.

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• Tony Ross: The younger son of Bill Ross, accused of orchestrating the arrest of Ms. Ross-Mahé.

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• Shirley A. Millwood: The Calhoun County probate judge overseeing the estate, who has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

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Judge Shirley A. Millwood expressed concern over the arrest, suggesting that it may have been influenced by Tony Ross's position as a government employee. In her ruling, she appointed an independent administrator for Mr. Ross's estate and temporarily restricted his sons from accessing their father's home. She urged federal authorities to investigate the matter, highlighting the broader context of distrust in federal law enforcement.

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The circumstances of Ms. Ross-Mahé's arrest have drawn criticism, particularly regarding the potential misuse of power by Tony Ross. The probate judge's ruling indicates a belief that the arrest was not merely a legal procedure but rather a manipulation of authority for personal gain.

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While the probate judge has indicated that Tony Ross played a role in the arrest, specific details about the nature of the arrest and the legal grounds for Ms. Ross-Mahé's detention remain unclear. Additionally, there is no information on the federal government's response to the judge's call for an investigation.

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• “especially in light of the ongoing national events surrounding the distrust of federal law enforcement officers and the many investigations ongoing of corruption within our government.” — Shirley A. Millwood, Calhoun County Probate Judge

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This situation continues to evolve as legal proceedings unfold, and the implications of the arrest raise significant questions about the intersection of personal disputes and immigration enforcement.

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