Bea Coker
reporter2.riverbendnews@gmail.com
The Suwannee County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) has assisted in the ongoing investigation into Touch by an Angel Learning Academy, according to a press release from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office (CCSO). Third Circuit State's Attorney Investigator John Jewett has indicated that the investigation is expanding in multiple directions, necessitating further interviews and investigations both within and outside Columbia County.
The owner of Touch by an Angel Learning Academy, Tomeka Nicole Henry, has been arrested following allegations of embezzling $1.3 million in state funding intended for the Lake City private school. Authorities executed search Reports from Holiday Inn Express in Lake City depict “a disturbing pattern” of activity regarding Henry, where she would allegedly rent multiple rooms simultaneously and stand in the open hallway while her son, Marquez Henry, reportedly ran what the hotel manager believed to be a “human trafficking/prostitution operation out of the hotel.” Staff reported that, upon the Henry party's departure, the rooms appeared “staged” for such activities, with mattresses “pulled onto the floor” and multiple individuals coming and going. The hotel manager stated that this activity persisted until suspicions arose, prompting Henry to cease renting rooms at the establishment.
Additionally, on March 21, the CCSO executed a warrant at the Henry home, resulting in two additional arrests of Henry's sons, Kurtis Leronia Phillips and Samuel Levell Phillips, who were found to be in possession of drugs and weapons. SCSO provided additional resources during this operation. The investigation, initiated based on an anonymous tip received in December 2023, has spanned several months, uncovering evidence of financial malfeasance. Henry faces charges of fraud and grand theft related to the misappropriation of state funds received through programs such as the Early Learning Coalition and the Step Up for Students program.
Authorities are actively pursuing leads to determine if others were involved in the alleged crimes or if there are additional victims whose personal information may have been compromised. Henry's bond has been set at $1 million, with $500,000 allocated per charge and a Nebbia hold. Florida Statutes Section 903.046 (2) authorizes the court to inquire into “the source of funds used to post bail,” as well as into any other facts, requiring anyone posting bond to verify the origin of the financial resources used.
Individuals with information pertinent to the investigation are urged to contact detectives at (386) 752-7015 or submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at (386) 754-7099.
The arrest affidavit, spanning 19 pages, outlines the charges against Henry, including schemes to defraud and grand theft, detailing her alleged unlawful actions in obtaining property valued at over $800,000 from state-funded programs between February 2021 and the present date in Columbia County.warrants at the school premises and a residence on Northwest Canton Lane in Lake City on Thursday, March 21, with assistance from officers of the SCSO and the State Attorney's Office.