On April 28, 2026, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip through the sheriff’s office’s mobile app that led to the arrest of James Michael Shelton, 32, of Waycross.
Shelton was previously charged and convicted of aggravated stalking in 2019 and sentenced under First Offender status to five years of probation. That same year, Shelton violated the conditions of his probation, resulting in the revocation of his First Offender status and adjudication as a convicted felon. He was subsequently re-sentenced to a total of 10 years of probation.
As a condition of his probation, Shelton was prohibited from entering Coffee County and Atkinson County for the duration of his probationary period. The court further advised that any additional violations could result in full revocation of probation and the imposition of the remaining sentence in confinement.
Beginning in December 2025, the sheriff’s office received multiple tips indicating Shelton had returned to Coffee County in violation of his probation. Through continued community cooperation, agents with the D.I.C.E. Unit were able to locate Shelton at a residence along Highway 441 within Coffee County. Officers secured a warrant and Shelton was taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Coffee County Jail, where he remains pending further legal action.
The Coffee County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the citizens who came forward with information. Your willingness to speak up plays a critical role in protecting this community. Aggravated stalking is a serious offense that can escalate into further acts of violence, and the department will not tolerate individuals who disregard court-ordered restrictions designed to keep others safe.
Sheriff Fred Cole stated, “We are grateful for the citizens who stepped up and did the right thing. This is exactly how law enforcement and the community work together to keep dangerous individuals off our streets.”
