As previously reported on Wednesday November 20, Jonathon Stafford was arrested by deputies for firearms violations. Detective Lieutenant Jerrad Blacker subsequently interviewed Stafford relating to the check cashing scheme he was allegedly involved in.
Detective Blacker discovered the check had been stolen from the Admiral Gas Station two months prior, which was reported to Frankfort Police. The check belonged to the company. Stafford was charged for his involvement in the theft of the check and the scheme to cash it.
The check was for $5000 and had attempted to be cashed at two local businesses before an attempt at a local bank just before the firearm incident took place last Wednesday evening.
A second individual involved in the previous incident on the 20th was believed to have taken part in the scheme to cash the check with Stafford. Detective Blacker determined Deqaun Smith was an alleged accomplice in the scheme to commit fraud on the financial institution.
The patrol division and the Frankfort Police assisted searching for Smith, who was located and arrested for unrelated charges late Thursday evening.
Once at the jail, Smith was interviewed by Detective Blacker and he was able to determine Smith was involved in the check cashing scheme on the 20th, as well as a separate check cashing scheme deriving from the theft of a check during a burglary reported to the Sheriff’s Office on November 16th.
In addition to previous charges, Stafford was also charged with:
One count of Possession of Stolen Property an A Misdemeanor; one count of Attempt to commit fraud on a financial institution a level 5 felony; and one count of Check Fraud a level 6 felony.
Smith, was charged with: Two counts of Possession of Stolen Property an A Misdemeanor; two counts of Attempt to commit fraud on a financial institution a level 5 felony; and two counts of Check Fraud a level 6 felony.
The investigation into the burglary is still ongoing.