Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards is requesting the public's assistance in locating Tawana Dees, age 42, originally from Bushkill, Pike County, PA. The Wayne County District Attorney’s Office Detectives have an active arrest warrant for Dees for Theft by Deception, a felony 3rd degree, and False Statements, also a felony 3rd degree.

Dees was a participant in the Choice Housing and Voucher Program administered by the Wayne County Housing Authority, which falls under the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Housing Choice Voucher Program assists eligible families with monthly rental expenses. The program participants are required to report all household members and all household income on annual certifications. While Dees residence was located in Pike County, the Wayne County Housing Authority is located within Wayne County, PA.

On July 25, 2016, the HUD Office of Inspector General filed a complaint with the Wayne County Detectives alleging that Dees failed to be truthful on her household composition and household income forms and defrauded the government. Specifically, Dees failed to report that numerous other people were also living with her in this subsidized residence. The Wayne County Housing Authority calculated that Dees received $72,102.00 in the form of rental assistance and utility allowance payments, which she was not entitled to through the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

On August 5, 2016, the Wayne County Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Dees. They believe that Dees is no longer in the area and may actually be living out-of-state. Anyone with information regarding Dees' whereabouts is asked to contact Wayne County Detective Michael McMorrow at (570) 253-4912