Georgia Man Extradited to Illinois in Calhoun County Wire Fraud, Theft Case

HARDIN - Law enforcement officials from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office traveled to Augusta, Georgia, on Feb. 28, 2026, to apprehend Timothy R. Whitaker, 57, of Augusta on allegations of theft and wire fraud after an investigation that began with a complaint in Calhoun County, Illinois, authorities said.

Whitaker is accused of theft in the amount of $10,000 to $100,000 and wire fraud, according to the sheriff’s office.

The investigation began June 12, 2025, when the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of theft and wire fraud in excess of $20,000. The reporting party alleged they paid for a piece of construction equipment from an online company and never received shipment.

Corporal Nicholas McCall conducted the investigation, which included executing “multiple Court Authorized Search Warrants for banking institutions, cellular companies and surveillance footage,” the sheriff’s office said.

On Aug. 8, 2025, the Calhoun County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a warrant of arrest for Whitaker, authorities said.

Whitaker was apprehended on Dec. 21, 2025, by the Richmond County, Georgia, Sheriff’s Office and taken into custody, where he was held on the warrant, according to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.

The Calhoun County State’s Attorney’s Office conducted what the sheriff’s office described as “extensive work” to extradite Whitaker for prosecution in Calhoun County.

On March 1, 2026, Calhoun County sheriff’s deputies completed the transport from Augusta and took Whitaker to the Pike County Jail, where he is being held while awaiting a further court appearance, the sheriff’s office said.

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office thanked the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Calhoun County State’s Attorney’s Office for assistance in the apprehension and extradition.

“Sheriff Hardin would like to further acknowledge the dedication shown by Corporal Nic McCall,” the sheriff’s office said. “Without Corporal McCall’s diligent, skilled and thorough investigation, this investigation would likely have never been solved.”

“All suspect(s) are innocent until proven guilty,” the sheriff’s office said.

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