Henry charged with theft, fraud; two sons face drugs charges.
Henry (from left), S. Phillips and K. Phillips
The owner of a Lake City private school is accused of defrauding the state of more than $1 million while her sons face drugs and weapons charges.
Tomeka Henry, 50, was arrested Thursday on charges of grand theft and fraud following a three-month investigation into misuse of state funding for her school, Touch By an Angel Learning Academy, located on N. U.S. Highway 441.
Henry’s two sons, 31-year-old Kurtis Phillips and 18-year-old Samuel Phillips, were also arrested on unrelated narcotics and weapons charges following a search at their residence.
According to a release from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, the school applied for and received funding from the Early Learning Coalition and the Step Up for Students Program from the state.
An investigation into Henry and the school began in December following a citizen tip into misuse. According to the CCSO, that investigation led to an arrest warrant being obtained for Henry with more than $1.3 million in Tate funding obtained fraudulently, according to authorities.
“State funding for these types of programs is money intended to lift up our community and when individuals misuse those funds we will work diligently to locate and charge those responsible for the fraudulent activity and any other criminal activity that may be associated with it,” Sheriff Mark Hunter said in the release. “When this type of white collar crime is committed in our community it affects a large amount of citizens.”
In another release, the CCSO stated that during the search of Henry’s residence that led to seizure of items connected to the fraud investigation, detectives also seized approximately 196.7 grams of marijuana, approximately 17.1 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 8.9 grams of cocaine, 36 fentanyl pills, two digital scales and a 9-millimeter handgun.
Both Kurtis Phillips and Samuel Phillips, in independent interviews, stated that they both had access to the handgun and narcotics, leading to both being charged. They both face charges for methamphetamine trafficking, marijuana possession, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, cocain possession and possession of drug equipment. Kurtis Phillips, who a CCSO report states has 10 felony convictions, also was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
The CCSO release states that its investigation is ongoing as detectives try to determine if anyone else was associated with the fraud. Detectives are also looking into potential misuse of personal information from any victims.
Additionally, detectives are trying to determine if the fraud and theft charges are connected to other illegal activity.
Anyone with information in the investigation can contact detectives at 386-752-7015. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through the Crime Stoppers of Columbia County by calling 386-754-7099.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Department of Education and to the Third Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office assisted the CCSO with the investigation. The State Attorney’s Office and the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office assisted the CCSO with serving of search warrants Thursday at Henry’s residence and the school that led to the arrest.