Oklahoma woman charged with check forgery

Lindsey Jo Rick, 41, Tulsa, Okla., was charged in Morrison County District Court with one felony count of check forgery and one gross misdemeanor count of giving a peace officer a false name.

The charges stem from an April 24 incident, when the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office received a report of fraud and identity theft at the Unity Bank located on Highway 27 in Morrison County. A deputy responded to the report and spoke with bank employees. Bank employees reported that a female subject drove up to their drive-up window and attempted to cash a check written out for $2,500. The check was written out to a victim of identity theft. However, bank employees are familiar with the victim and knew that the woman presenting the check and driver’s license was not the victim. Bank employees asked the female subject to enter the bank to complete the transaction. Bank employees then contacted law enforcement, according to the report.

The deputy arrived at the bank and met with the suspect. The suspect continued to insist that she was the victim. She recited the victim’s full name, date of birth, and even her social security number. Eventually, the female suspect became tripped up, and she was unable to correctly recall the victim’s middle name. At that point, the deputy knew that she was giving a false name and date of birth. The female suspect was placed under arrest. Per the report, the suspect eventually admitted she was giving false information and she identified herself as Rick.

According to the report, Rick agreed to give a recorded statement to the deputy. Rick allegedly admitted that she is part of a group of individuals attempting to steal people’s identities and cash fraudulent checks. She met up with this group in Tulsa, Okla., where she claimed she lives. She saw it as a quick opportunity to make some money and agreed to go with these individuals on their crime spree. The crew she operated with would break into vehicles to steal purses and identities, and then would attempt to pass fradulent checks at local banks by posing as the person from the stolen ID. They started in the Minneapolis metro area, and they have been moving around to different parts of the state.

The deputy was able to get ahold of the victim about her driver’s license being used in this scheme. The victim reported that her vehicle was broken into during the previous night while she was in Wright County. A number of items were stolen from her vehicle, including her driver’s license, according to the report.

If convicted on the felony charge, Rick faces up to five years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine. If convicted on the gross misdemeanor charge, Rick faces up to one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.