Who is Courtney Janell Shaw?

Courtney Janell Shaw is a 47-year-old assistant principal at Free Home Elementary School in Georgia who was arrested for allegedly stealing nearly $1,000 from Walmart.

How did the assistant principal allegedly steal from Walmart?

She allegedly used a 'stacking' method at the self-checkout, placing multiple items on top of one another and only scanning a single item before leaving the store.

What is the school district's response to the arrest?

The Cherokee County School District has placed Courtney Janell Shaw on administrative leave pending the outcome of internal and law enforcement investigations.

Home / Crime and Justice / Georgia Principal Nabbed for $943 Walmart Shoplifting

Georgia Principal Nabbed for $943 Walmart Shoplifting

28 Jan

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Summary

Assistant principal arrested for allegedly stealing nearly $1,000.
She used a 'stacking' method at self-checkout over two months.
The educator has been placed on administrative leave.

Georgia Principal Nabbed for $943 Walmart Shoplifting

An assistant principal in Georgia, Courtney Janell Shaw, 47, was arrested on Monday, January 27, 2026, following allegations of theft from a local Walmart. Over a two-month period, between November 1 and December 31, 2025, Shaw allegedly stole $943.97 worth of merchandise.

Investigators believe Shaw utilized a 'stacking' method at the self-checkout, where she would place multiple items on top of each other, scan only one, and then leave the store. Surveillance footage from January 12, 2026, provided by a Walmart employee, helped authorities identify her. Her vehicles matched those seen speeding away from the store.

Following the arrest, the Cherokee County School District announced that Shaw, who has been an educator for over two decades, was placed on administrative leave. She faces one felony count of shoplifting and was released on a $4,875 bond.