Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader says a state investigation into county finances has led to an arrest connected to the Zentell Communications broadband project. According to Schrader, he asked the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for help on March 17, 2025, after county officials reported suspicious activity in several county financial accounts. Schrader said he made the request after also speaking with the county auditor.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of Jonathan Wesley Allen of Chattanooga on January 9, 2026. Allen is charged with one count of felony theft by taking in connection with the Zentell Communications, LLC project. He has been booked into the Chattooga County Jail and is waiting for a bond hearing.
Schrader said he has spoken with the GBI agent assigned to the case and the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Both told him the investigation and review of the financial complaints are complete and that no additional arrests are expected…