THEFT CHARGES FILLED AGAINST COUNTY TAX OFFICE EMPLOYEE

ELLIS COUNTY – Ellis County Tax Office employee Dena Marie Hollon was arrested late last week on charges of Theft Property >=$2,500<$30,000 ENH IAT and Money Laundering >=$2,500 less than $30,000.

Deputies from the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department arrested Hollon June 11 from the tax office on a Tarrant County After Indictment Warrant, according to Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman.

The incident of theft is reported to have taken place around Feb. 12, and the additional charge around March 5 when the defendant is said to have made a transaction involving the money and purchasing a cashier’s check.  

Ellis County and District Attorney’s office had ask for an appointment of a County and District Attorney Pro Tem in the matter of the investigation relating to the Ellis County Tax Office.

The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s office was then named Pro Tem/Independent Prosecutor in the matter therefore that being the reason Tarrant County issued the arrest warrant.

In February 2021 in the States Request to Recuse County & District Attorney Ellis County DA Ann Montgomery said it was on or about Jan. 19, 2021 she was made aware of an investigation in regard to the Ellis County Tax Office theft. 

The request stated, “At this time, the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made. 

“My office has numerous personal and professional connections with persons in the Ellis County Tax Office and prior employees of the County who may be witnesses in this matter.

“To ensure protection of the rights of the victim(s), the defendants, and society, a prosecutor other than one from my office should independently evaluate the matter and proceed or not as he or she sees fit in his or her sole and independent judgment. 

“Therefore, it is necessary that an outside prosecutor proceed from this point forward.”

No arrests other than Hollon have been made regarding this incident.

Hollon bonded out of the Ellis County Jail over the weekend.