BENTON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – Special agents with the State Auditor’s Office arrested a former Benton County Tax Assessor on one count of embezzlement in public office.

According to State Auditor Shad White, Shannon Wilburn took more than $300,000 in daily collections paid to the Benton County Tax Collector’s office for his own personal use.

“The dedicated team at the State Auditor’s Office will continue to work closely with prosecutors to get record results, one case at a time,” said White.

Wilburn faces up to $5,000 in fines and 20 years if convicted.

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditor’s office online by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.