An assistant principal at Free Home Elementary School in Georgia, Courtney Janell Shaw, has recently made headlines after being accused of stealing nearly $1,000 worth of items from Walmart using a self-checkout “stacking” scheme. Shaw, 47, was arrested by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office following an investigation that revealed she had been swiping merchandise from the retailer over a two-month period.
According to reports, Shaw allegedly stole 98 items valued at $943.97 by using a method where she would stack multiple items on top of each other and only scan one before leaving the store. Surveillance footage provided by a Walmart employee on January 12 identified Shaw as the suspect, leading to her arrest. The employee also identified two vehicles seen in the footage, a 2018 Ford F-150 and a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which were registered to Shaw and located at her residence.
Shaw was charged with one felony count of shoplifting and booked into the Cherokee County jail. She was later released on a $4,875 bond. In response to the allegations, Free Home Elementary School placed Shaw on administrative leave pending the outcome of internal and law enforcement investigations.
Shaw’s career in education spans over two decades, with experience as an assistant principal at two other elementary schools before joining Free Home in 2024. She began her career as a fifth-grade teacher in North Carolina and later transitioned into educational leadership roles in Florida. The school’s website praises Shaw for her dedication and experience, highlighting her as a valuable asset to the school community.
Interestingly, Shaw is not the first school official to be accused of using Walmart self-checkout to steal items. In a similar incident, Bok Academy North Principal Gregory Lewis was caught “skip scanning” at a Walmart in Polk County, Florida, in March 2025. These cases serve as a reminder that inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated, and maintaining the safety and security of students and staff remains a top priority for educational institutions.
