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Court records show faith-based sobriety house leader’ extensive criminal history

Occhito served time at Whitworth Women's Prison from 2015-2016

LUMPKIN, GA

Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office recently released a statement asking for information regarding an investigation into allegations made against the faith-based sobriety house, Experience of Grace Ministries. The sobriety house was ran by Starla Occhito, who was using the alias Starla Pope. After receiving reports of fraud and misconduct at the sobriety house, the LCSO arrested Occhito on November 9, and placed an additional hold on her for Arkansas, where she has an arrest warrant.

Experience of Grace Ministries social media history

Occhito’s extensive criminal history includes arrests in: 2010 for “Fraudulent Use of A Credit Card or Debit Card,” (Class C Felony), and in 2011 for “Theft of Property,” (Class C Felony). In 2011, Occhito was also sentenced to serve up to eight years at Whitworth Women’s Facility for, “Attempt to Violate Substance Act,” in which she served from October 7, 2015 to July 13, 2016. Six days after her release, Occhito created a Facebook for the Experience of Grace Prison Ministries, which is currently called Experience of Grace Ministries.

According to an eyewitness, Occhito was allegedly running a “fake rehab” program and was, “abusive to those residents; she even locked the fridge and cupboard.” The witness also told Fetch Your News that the residents who had gone to the Experience of Grace Ministries seeking rehab never attended any classes and were allegedly constantly “belittled” by Occhito. Occhito is known to have over 55 aliases and her criminal history has been traced to AR and GA, so far.

Experience of Grace Ministries

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Cpt. Marcus Sewell at 706-482-2619

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Haley Gilreath