Monica Shanora Jones has filed a civil rights lawsuit, claiming her life was turned upside down by false accusations and malicious prosecution. On January 10, 2026, Jones filed the complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against Michelle Alston, Ashanti Marbury, and Clayton County, Georgia.
The case revolves around Jones’s employment at Rainbow House, a youth shelter in Clayton County. As Program Director at the Rainbow House Child Advocacy Center in March 2023, Jones was implicated in a scandal involving alleged misconduct by another employee, Caleb Randolph. According to the complaint, a fellow employee named Alexia Bing reported to police that Randolph had an inappropriate relationship with a minor resident and speculated that Executive Director Mia Kimber was aware of it. Bing further speculated about other employees’ involvement without providing concrete evidence against them.
Jones claims she was unaware of any misconduct and had always reported suspected abuse to Kimber as required by law. Despite this, officers Alston and Marbury pursued criminal charges against her based on what Jones describes as “fabricated” and “distorted” evidence. The complaint alleges that arrest warrant applications falsely accused Jones of covering up child abuse and other serious offenses without probable cause or supporting evidence.
Jones’s arrest on March 20, 2023, led to her detention without bond due to the severity of the charges. She argues that Alston and Marbury’s actions were reckless and violated her Fourth Amendment rights. The Attorney General eventually dismissed all charges against her on January 11, 2024, citing insufficient evidence.
Jones is seeking actual damages exceeding $75,000 from each defendant for pain and suffering caused by her wrongful arrest and prosecution. She also seeks punitive damages for the defendants’ alleged malice and reckless disregard for her rights. Additionally, she requests compensation for legal fees incurred while defending herself against baseless charges.
Representing Monica Shanora Jones are attorneys James W. Howard and Leif A. Howard from The Howard Law Firm P.C., based in Tucker, Georgia. The case is being heard under Case ID: 1:26-cv-00154-TRJ.
Source: 126cv154_Monica_Shanora_v_Michelle_Alston_Complaint_Northern_District_of_Georgia.pdf
