Monroe woman accused of stealing nearly $20K from handicapped victim; arrested

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD)– On February 8, 2024, a victim reported that over a two-and-a-half-year span, Sharmeke Johnson Byrd allegedly stole funds from their bank account.

The victim allegedly reported that she suffered from several strokes, leaving her unable to physically take care of herself. According to authorities, a company was hired to assist the victim and Byrd, who was the company’s employee, was allegedly tasked to assist the victim.

According to reports, some of the duties were to take care of the victim and ensure that her bills were paid. The victim stated that in December 2023, she learned that funds were allegedly transferred from her bank account into Byrd’s bank account monthly.

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According to authorities, they received records from Byrd’s Centric FCU account confirming that when the victim received her monthly check, the funds were then transferred to Byrd’s account. Once the funds were in the account, authorities observed that on multiple occasions they were used to pay for Byrd’s car loan.

Byrd was then interviewed at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office where she was advised of her Miranda Rights, which she stated she understood and waived. According to authorities, Byrd allegedly admitted to moving the funds from the victim’s account to hers but stated she did so to cover the expenses she was paying for the victim.

According to authorities, Byrd allegedly told deputies that she did not take any of the victim’s funds for personal gains. According to reports, Byrd’s monthly statement allegedly shows that when she received the funds, she did gain personally by placing the funds on her car note.

Authorities confirmed that the victim suffered a loss of almost $20,000 between the two-and-a-half-years Byrd had control of her account. Byrd was arrested and charged with Exploitation of the Infirmed.

MONROE, La. (KTVE/KARD)– On February 8, 2024, a victim reported that over a two-and-a-half-year span, Sharmeke Johnson Byrd allegedly stole funds from their bank account.

The victim allegedly reported that she suffered from several strokes, leaving her unable to physically take care of herself. According to authorities, a company was hired to assist the victim and Byrd, who was the company’s employee, was allegedly tasked to assist the victim.

According to reports, some of the duties were to take care of the victim and ensure that her bills were paid. The victim stated that in December 2023, she learned that funds were allegedly transferred from her bank account into Byrd’s bank account monthly.

West Monroe man allegedly tries to rob good samaritan at gunpoint; arrested

According to authorities, they received records from Byrd’s Centric FCU account confirming that when the victim received her monthly check, the funds were then transferred to Byrd’s account. Once the funds were in the account, authorities observed that on multiple occasions they were used to pay for Byrd’s car loan.

Byrd was then interviewed at the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office where she was advised of her Miranda Rights, which she stated she understood and waived. According to authorities, Byrd allegedly admitted to moving the funds from the victim’s account to hers but stated she did so to cover the expenses she was paying for the victim.

According to authorities, Byrd allegedly told deputies that she did not take any of the victim’s funds for personal gains. According to reports, Byrd’s monthly statement allegedly shows that when she received the funds, she did gain personally by placing the funds on her car note.

Authorities confirmed that the victim suffered a loss of almost $20,000 between the two-and-a-half-years Byrd had control of her account. Byrd was arrested and charged with Exploitation of the Infirmed.