Two arrested for identity theft in Paulding County

An investigation into a car crash led Paulding County Sheriff’s deputies to arrest two people for identity theft after law enforcement officials say several fake IDs were found in the car.

Deputies with the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle crash on Laird Road to assist the Georgia State Patrol on July 13. The driver, later identified as 41-year-old Kelley Marie Faulkner, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of her injuries which occurred during the accident.

According to the Paulding County Sheriff’s Dept., during the investigation and subsequent inventory of her vehicle, 10 fraudulent driver’s licenses and 62 fraudulent checks were located inside her car.

Detectives secured and executed a search warrant Faulkner’s home. During the execution of that search warrant, officers collected evidence that indicated Faulkner was manufacturing fraudulent driver’s licenses. Officers also recovered additional fake driver’s licenses, a passport, and multiple fraudulent checks, along with a multitude of gift cards.

Officers also found a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, some suspected oxycodone pills, and a firearm. Officers also saw several pieces of lawn equipment they believed to be stolen or purchased fraudulently. Faulkner, along with 42-year-old Herbert Kitchens was arrested and charged with multiple offenses that related to the search warrant.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division are working closely with the Paulding County District Attorney’s Office regarding this case. Detectives are still locating and identifying victims in this case as it has crossed several jurisdictional boundaries. Checks from approximately 12 different banks have been identified and they are notifying their customers.

Kelley Faulkner has been charged with the following offenses:

-Identity Fraud (12 counts) (F)
-Forgery 3rd Degree (2 counts) (F)
-Forgery 4th Degree (2 counts) (M)
-VGCSA Possession of Methamphetamine (F)
-VGCSA Possession of Schedule II Pills Oxycodone (F)
-Drugs Not in the Original Container (M)
-Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F)
-Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (F)

Herbert Kitchens has been charged with the following offenses:

-VGCSA Possession of Methamphetamine (F)
-VGCSA Possession of Scheduled II Pills Oxycodone (F)
-Drugs Not in the Original Container (M)
-Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon (F)
-Theft by Receiving Stolen Property (2 Counts) (F)

If you have recently had an issue with a check coming through your bank that you did not write and does not look like your check, please contact the Criminal Investigations Division of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office at (770) 443-3015. If you have any information regarding this case, you are asked to submit a tip through the Paulding Sheriff mobile app or the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Tip Line at (770) 443-3047.

⚠️ Reminder: Crime articles contain only charges and information from police reports and law enforcement statements. Suspects and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.