NEW TAZEWELL, Tenn. (WATE) — In a surprising turn of events, the wife of a Claiborne County man, missing since 2017, is facing charges for allegedly misappropriating his Social Security benefits for several years.

Cindy Shaboo, 63, has been indicted on charges of theft exceeding $10,000, following her arrest on Thursday. Her spouse, 65-year-old Joseph John Williams, vanished in April 2017, and his absence was reported by his adult children after numerous failed attempts to reach him.

At the time of his disappearance, Shaboo claimed Williams had left town for work, notably without his phone. Authorities were informed that he supposedly departed with an acquaintance from Craigslist to undertake a plumbing job, as stated by a sheriff’s office captain to Nexstar’s 6 News in May 2017.

In May 2017, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) joined forces with the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office to delve into the missing persons case. During their investigation, they uncovered that from May 2017 to November 2021, Shaboo illicitly collected nearly $40,000 in Social Security benefits meant for Williams.

The TBI and local detectives urge anyone with information concerning Williams’ disappearance to reach out via 1-800-TBI-FIND or email TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov.

Shaboo is currently detained at the Claiborne County Jail, with her bond set at $50,000.