Antonio Doss, 27, of Hermitage, Tennessee, has been charged after investigators allege he posed as a Lake County Sheriff’s Office sergeant and convinced a Newton County woman to send him $1,000 during a telephone scam.

According to court documents, Newton County deputies responded to a fraud complaint on September 19, 2025, after a DeMotte-area woman reported receiving a phone call from a man claiming to be “Sgt. Bryon Pate” with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The caller allegedly told the woman she had outstanding violations carrying fines totaling $6,000 and that she needed to make an immediate payment.

Police said the caller advised the woman that a $1,000 payment would be accepted and instructed her to send the money electronically using Zelle and Apple Pay. Believing she was speaking with a legitimate law enforcement officer, the woman allegedly transferred $500 through Zelle and $500 through Apple Pay from her Chase Bank account.

According to investigators, the suspect used multiple phone numbers during the scheme. Detectives later determined one of those numbers belonged to Antonio Doss. Court records state investigators also obtained transaction records, receipts, and other evidence that allegedly linked Doss to the fraudulent transfers.

Investigators allege Doss intentionally misrepresented himself as a law enforcement officer to deceive the victim into sending money and knowingly engaged in a scheme to obtain property through false or misleading statements.

Lodged in the Newton County Jail on July 28,2026.

Charges filed March 6, 2026:

Fraud (loss between $750 and $50,000) — Level 6 Felony

Impersonation of a Public Servant (posing as a law enforcement officer) — Level 6 Felony