Arrest reports for August 1

Thursday, August 1, 2024–4:00 p.m.

-Floyd County Jail records-

Woman charged with theft, exploitation of an elder person

A Rome woman is accused of stealing more than $28,000 from an elderly person.

According to Floyd County Jail records and an arrest warrant:

58-year-old Kimberly Michelle Ferguson had fiduciary duty of the 78-year-old victim’s bank account and used the money for herself between September 28, 2022, and April 23, 2024.

Ferguson is charged with theft by taking and exploitation of the elderly.

Man charged with child cruelty

A Rome man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly punching a 13-year-old child.

According to Floyd County Jail records:

53-year-old James Clifton Bell Jr. also held the child down and threatened to murder the victim.

The incident, which occurred at Bell’s Lee Street home, was witnessed by another child.

Bell is charged with 1st-degree cruelty to children, 3rd-degree cruelty to children, terroristic threats and acts, and simple assault.

Report: Woman resisted arrest, damaged patrol vehicle

A woman was arrested Wednesday following an incident in the parking lot of a motel at 3189 Martha Berry Highway.

According to Floyd County Jail records:

45-year-old Joanna June Pellegrino was yelling and cursing while intoxicated.

She then fought officers while being placed into custody and ripped off the driver’s side running board of the patrol vehicle.

Pellegrino fought again and resisted while at the Floyd Medical Center emergency room while cursing and screaming, disrupting other patients.

She is charged with felony obstruction, interference with government property, disorderly conduct, and public drunk.

Pellegrino is also being held without bond on a warrant charging her with violating Georgia’s Sex Offender Registry Law for failing to register a change of address to the sheriff’s office.

Accused shoplifter wanted in Alabama

A Piedmont, Alabama man initially arrested for stealing a bottle of chocolate milk from the West Rome Walmart is also facing a felony fugitive from justice charge.

According to Floyd County Jail records:

44-year-old Robert Dewayne Abernathy had an active warrant for his address in Cherokee County, Alabama.

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