Former Echols County Sheriff’s Office employee arrested on multiple charges in misuse of law enforcement data case

STATENVILLE, Ga., January 7, 2026: On Monday, January 5, 2026, about 2:20 p.m., Anna Altobello, 33 years old, was arrested and booked into the Lowndes County Jail on outstanding arrest warrants out of Echols County, Georgia. Altobello has been charged with 8 counts of misuse of license plate data (misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature), 1 count of stalking (misdemeanor), 1 count of stalking – family violence (misdemeanor), and 1 count of violation of oath of office which is a felony charge.

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, Echols County Sheriff Randy Courson requested the GBI to conduct an investigation regarding information he received that the secretary at the Echols County Sheriff’s Office (Altobello) had accessed their “FLOCK” account for a non-law enforcement purpose on multiple occasions. Sheriff Courson also provided the names of the suspected 2 victims of the searches at the time of the request for investigation. An agent was assigned to the case and began working the investigation and conducting interviews with witnesses and victims. During the investigation thus far, it is alleged that Altobello searched for tag information on multiple occasions on 2 separate people that are both known to her. This investigation continues, and additional charges are expected when other requested documents are received.

This case is active and ongoing and anyone with information on this case is asked to call the GBI Thomasville Office at 229-225-4090. Once complete, it will be turned over to the Southern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

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