Former “Real Housewives of Potomac” star Mia Thornton is facing serious legal trouble after prosecutors in Georgia filed a felony theft charge against her, nearly a year after she was arrested at an Atlanta airport over allegations that she stole thousands of dollars worth of furniture from a luxury rental condo.
The Bravo reality star, who left the popular series in April 2025, could face up to 10 years behind bars if convicted, according to Georgia law.
Court documents obtained by TMZ reveal that the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office has charged Thornton with felony theft by taking in connection with an alleged incident on October 28, 2025.
Prosecutors claim Thornton and a man identified as Jared McGriff removed furniture and a television from a furnished condominium in downtown Atlanta without permission. The property was valued between $5,000 and $25,000, with an earlier police report estimating the missing items were worth approximately $11,000.
The alleged theft occurred at a rental property on Marietta Street, where Thornton had been living after relocating from the Washington, D.C., area.
According to the property’s management company, Thornton and McGriff unexpectedly moved out in the middle of the night, allegedly taking furnishings that belonged to the condo owner.
The disappearance of the items prompted a police investigation and eventually led to a warrant for Thornton’s arrest.
On November 19, 2025, Atlanta police officers detained the reality star at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport after learning she was wanted in connection with the alleged theft.
Body camera footage of the arrest later surfaced online, showing Thornton being approached by officers and taken into custody. According to the police report, she acknowledged knowing that an arrest warrant had been issued.
She was subsequently booked into the Fulton County Jail on a theft-related charge.
The case attracted widespread attention because Thornton had recently left “The Real Housewives of Potomac” after four seasons, describing her relocation to Atlanta as the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
Now, the latest court filing has brought the allegations back into the spotlight, with potentially serious consequences for the former reality television personality.
Under Georgia law, theft involving property valued between $5,000 and $25,000 can carry a prison sentence ranging from one to 10 years. However, judges have discretion in certain cases to impose lesser punishment, and the filing of a felony charge does not automatically mean a defendant will serve prison time.
Thornton has not been convicted of the offense, and no trial outcome or sentencing date has been publicly confirmed.
Following her arrest last year, Thornton addressed the difficult period in a social media message, expressing her desire to rebuild her life and move forward.
“This new year is about rebuilding, refining, and rising with purpose,” she wrote, adding that adversity had reminded her of the importance of staying grounded.
The mother of two also thanked supporters for standing by her as she navigated the controversy.
Thornton first joined “The Real Housewives of Potomac” during its sixth season in 2021, quickly becoming one of the show’s most outspoken personalities. Her relationships, family struggles and sometimes explosive disagreements with castmates made her a frequent focus of the Bravo series.
After four seasons, she announced her departure in April 2025, thanking the network and viewers for what she described as an unforgettable experience.
At the time, Thornton said she was looking forward to new opportunities in Atlanta. However, her move has since become the focus of a criminal case that could have lasting consequences.
Her legal troubles also come as another familiar face from “The Real Housewives of Potomac” faces a separate criminal prosecution.
Wendy Osefo and her husband, Eddie Osefo, were arrested in Maryland in October 2025 after investigators accused them of making fraudulent insurance claims involving a reported burglary at their home.
Authorities allege the couple submitted claims for expensive jewelry, designer handbags and other belongings they reported stolen while vacationing in Jamaica in 2024.
Investigators subsequently questioned whether some of the items had actually been stolen, citing purchase records, refunds and other evidence.
The couple has denied wrongdoing, and their case remains pending.
Wendy previously addressed the allegations during BravoCon, maintaining that the charges did not establish guilt and promising to share more of her account when the time was appropriate.
The subject also surfaced during a “Real Housewives of Potomac” reunion, when fellow cast member Karen Huger urged Wendy to be cautious about publicly discussing an active criminal case.
Huger, who had previously served time following a DUI conviction, warned that statements made on television could potentially attract attention from prosecutors.
Although the two cases are unrelated, the legal problems involving multiple current and former cast members have placed the Bravo franchise under renewed scrutiny.
For Thornton, the immediate concern is the felony theft allegation in Georgia, where prosecutors must establish that she unlawfully took property belonging to someone else with the intent required under state law.
The precise circumstances of the condo move, the ownership of the disputed furnishings and any evidence presented by the defense could become important issues if the case proceeds to trial.
As of October 11, Thornton had not publicly announced a resolution to the charge or provided a detailed response to the latest court filing.