Denise Bohannon entered a guilty plea last month for theft between $30,000 and $150,000, a charge that stems from her time serving as Hockley County Treasurer.
Bohannon entered her plea on December 15, 2022, and was sentenced to five years of probation. She was also fined $1,000, and ordered to pay $39,021 in restitution.
Additionally, Bohannon was ordered to write an apology letter to the citizens of Hockley County, which will be published twice in the Levelland and Hockley County News-Press.
In 2020, Hockley County Commissioners took action to begin the search for a forensic auditor to look into allegations related to the treasurer’s office. Shortly thereafter, the investigation was picked up by the Texas Rangers.
According to a request for qualifications issued by the county in their search for a forensic auditor, the county was seeking a forensic auditor to examine the time period between January 2018 and February 2020. The amount of funds taken was estimated at $39,000.
Angela Overman, district attorney for the 286th District Court, recused herself as prosecutor on the case and Scott Say, former district attorney in Lamb County, was appointed as special prosecutor. Say was recently elected to the position of district judge.
Say explained that the apology letter had been approved, but there is not a deadline to make the publication. Say also added that he is relying on adult probation to get everything done in a timely manner.
A Hockley County grand jury indicted Bohannon in July of 2020 and was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center Thursday, July 7. She was released the same day on a $15,000 bond.
Bohannon served as county treasurer for several years for Hockley County until she did not seek re-election as she resigned on December 31, 2021. Kelli Martin was appointed to the spot following the March primary.