PALATKA, Fla. — A former Putnam County Clerk of Courts employee is facing 19 criminal charges after investigators alleged she improperly accessed confidential information and warned criminal suspects about pending law enforcement operations.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office announced that 33-year-old Jabaria Cartos was initially arrested on June 10 on two counts of obstructing a criminal investigation by a public servant conveying information, one count of computer fraud for accessing a database without authority, and one count of tampering in a first-degree felony proceeding.
As the investigation continued, detectives filed an additional 15 counts of obstructing a criminal investigation by a public servant conveying information, bringing the total number of charges to 19.
Authorities said Cartos has since been released from custody on a $200,000 bond.
According to the sheriff’s office, Clerk of Courts Matt Reynolds terminated Cartos’ employment immediately after investigators uncovered evidence during the criminal investigation and an audit of her access to confidential computer files.
Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach said the investigation remains active and has expanded to involve more than 60 criminal cases in Putnam County.
Investigators allege Cartos’ actions compromised law enforcement operations by alerting known drug traffickers before search warrants were executed, potentially allowing fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking to continue within the community.
Officials also expressed concern that her actions placed law enforcement officers from multiple agencies at risk.
The sheriff’s office credited the Putnam County Clerk of Courts for its cooperation throughout the investigation and said additional charges are expected as investigators continue reviewing the case.