Two Arrested in Multi-County Asphalt Scam Targeting Elderly Residents in Georgia

MERIWETHER COUNTY, Ga. — A coordinated, multi-agency investigation into a series of fraudulent asphalt paving schemes has resulted in two arrests and the seizure of key evidence across multiple Georgia counties, authorities said.

Sheriff Chuck Smith announced that investigators with the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Fayette County, Pike County, and Coweta County sheriff’s offices and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, executed simultaneous search warrants early on March 20, 2026. The searches took place in Brooks, Williamson, and Haralson, where investigators collected evidence tied to an organized fraud operation.

Authorities said the suspects were involved in deceptive paving schemes commonly referred to as “asphalt scams,” in which victims were persuaded to pay for driveway work that was either substandard, incomplete, or never performed. Investigators said the operation specifically targeted elderly and vulnerable residents across Meriwether County and surrounding areas.

Two suspects have been arrested: 25-year-old Johnny Ray Lee of Williamson and 33-year-old Peewee Stumpie Lee of Brooks. Both face three counts of exploitation of elderly persons, four counts of felony theft by deception, and three counts of violations of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. They are currently being held without bond in the Meriwether County Jail.

Investigators said evidence collected early in the case, including materials recovered during initial searches, allowed authorities to connect the suspects to a broader network operating across multiple jurisdictions. Officials said similar transactions tied to the suspects have been identified in other parts of Georgia and in other states.

Following the arrests, additional victims have come forward, and authorities expect more charges to be filed both locally and in other jurisdictions. Investigators also said additional co-conspirators have been identified and remain under investigation.

Authorities said the suspects often used aliases such as “Richard Wilson” and “Gary Wilson” when approaching victims. They were also associated with red or yellow Hummer H2 vehicles, which were reportedly used during the fraudulent operations.

Officials said victims were typically approached with unsolicited offers for paving work, sometimes involving claims of leftover materials or limited-time pricing. In many cases, victims reported receiving poor-quality work, being charged more than originally agreed upon, or having additional work performed without consent and then being pressured to pay.

The Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office credited the success of the operation to cooperation among local, state, and federal partners, including assistance from Meriwether County Fire and Rescue and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The investigation remains active.

Authorities are urging anyone who may have been approached or victimized by similar paving schemes in Meriwether, Fayette, Pike, or surrounding counties to contact their local law enforcement agency or the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 706-672-4236. Tips can also be submitted by email at MCSO-Tips@meriwethercountyga.gov.