Crime & Safety

Barrow County Man Indicted for Exploitation of Elderly Watkinsville Veteran

The indictment, returned by an Oconee County grand jury, alleges Paul Kevin Harris stole $25,000 from a 90-year-old man.

A Barrow County man who authorities say intimidated a 90-year-old Watkinsville veteran into giving him at least $25,000 over the course of one year faces formal charges.

An Oconee County grand jury last week indicted Kevin Paul Harris, 47, of Statham on one count of exploitation of the elderly and one count of theft by taking.   

Watkinsville police in May said the victim wrote 38 checks to Harris ranging in amounts of $25-$1,200 each for lawn service that wasn't performed. The Barrow County Sheriff's Office assisted police in making the arrest.

The indictment alleges that Harris "did coerce and harass (the victim) to give him money that he was not entitled to receive" with a value of $25,000 or more between March 2012 and March 2013.

Criminal indictments are not evidence of guilt; they are only charges. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

See also: Oconee County Grand Jury Hands Down Indictments in Multiple Cases and Oconee County Man Indicted for Murder Of Waffle House 


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