Federal prosecutors accuse Carmen Turner and two employees of using county payroll funds for work that authorities say was not performed.
HOUSTON, TX — Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector Carmen Patrice Turner and two people she hired have been federally indicted on conspiracy, theft and wire fraud charges in an alleged scheme involving county payroll funds, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.
Turner, 65, of Richmond, was indicted along with Shemerrylyn Regina Fields, 47, of Rosharon, and Victor Calvin Ewing, 69, of Houston. Prosecutors allege Turner arranged for county money to be paid to people who were not performing the government jobs listed on their payroll records. The alleged scheme ran from about September 2023 through September 2025, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. An indictment is an accusation, and all three defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The federal indictment alleges Turner hired Fields and another person as deputy tax clerks but directed them to care for Turner’s elderly mother during hours when payroll records showed them working for Fort Bend County. Prosecutors say the workers were instructed to clock in and out remotely through the county’s telephone timekeeping system while reporting that they were performing their government duties. Earlier search warrants made public in 2025 had raised similar allegations involving county workers who were providing care for Turner’s mother.
Those earlier records said two county employees received more than $27,000 in gross pay during an approximately eight-month period when investigators alleged they were caring for Turner’s mother. The federal indictment announced Thursday describes a broader alleged scheme and names Fields as one of the defendants. The other deputy tax clerk referenced in the federal case was not identified in the Justice Department’s announcement. Federal prosecutors said that person has been cooperating with investigators.
Turner is also accused of hiring Ewing as a full-time department coordinator even though prosecutors say she knew he already had full-time employment in Chicago and would not perform the duties of the Fort Bend County position. According to the indictment, Ewing continued working in Chicago while collecting a county salary. Prosecutors further allege that Ewing agreed to give Turner part of the money he received from the county and made at least one transfer to her through Cash App after receiving a payroll payment.
Federal authorities allege Turner, Fields and Ewing used false timesheets and other methods to make the employment arrangements appear legitimate. Prosecutors say they maintained access to county computer systems despite the alleged lack of legitimate work. Court records cited by local news organizations say Ewing’s county-issued phone data placed him in Chicago while he was reporting work hours for Fort Bend County.
The indictment also accuses Turner of using Ewing’s credentials to enter WebDealer, a system used by county tax offices and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to process vehicle transactions. Prosecutors allege that while Ewing was working in Chicago, Turner used his credentials in the system. During one transaction, the indictment says a vehicle price was entered as $295,836.92 instead of $29,583.92, resulting in a significant error in the sales tax assessed to a dealership.
The defendants face several federal counts. Records reviewed by FOX 26 Houston show Turner faces six wire fraud counts, while Fields and Ewing each face three. Turner and Ewing are each charged with two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, while Fields faces one such count. All three also face a conspiracy charge. Federal prosecutors said a wire fraud conviction can carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count. Theft concerning federal program funds can carry up to 10 years, while the conspiracy charge carries a maximum of five years. Each charge may also carry a fine of up to $250,000.
Turner was arrested Thursday morning, according to federal authorities and published reports. Fields was also taken into custody in the Houston area. Ewing was arrested in Chicago. The Justice Department said Turner and Fields were expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peter Bray in Houston, while Ewing was expected to make an initial appearance in Chicago. No final determination of guilt has been made, and the criminal cases remain pending.
The FBI and Texas Rangers investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Ferko and Rodolfo Ramirez are prosecuting it. As of Thursday night, federal authorities had not announced a trial date or final resolution of the charges.
Author note: Last updated October 22, 2026.