Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Investigators have arrested two individuals as the result of an elderly exploitation investigation.

According to Sheriff Jeff Shaver, Thomas Eugene Johns, age 53, and James Marlon Johns, 58, were taken into custody Wednesday on County Road 71 near Leesburg.  The arrests came after a joint investigation with DHR, involving the financial exploitation of an elderly person.  Both were booked into the Cherokee County Detention Center on the exploitation charges.

Thomas Eugene Johns was also charged with Promoting Prison Contraband 2nd Degree and James Marlon Johns was additionally charged with Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Resisting Arrest.

Both remain in the Cherokee County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.