Nine people have been charged in connection with an organized counterfeit check cashing scheme, leading to losses in excess of $600,000, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said Friday.
According to FDLE, the group targeted Publix Supermarkets in multiple locations across Florida, as well as Georgia and South Carolina.
The investigation, which lasted eight-months, revealed that the suspects worked together to manufacture and then distribute counterfeit payroll checks at respective Publix stores, FDLE said.
Authorities estimate that over 1,000 counterfeit were cashed by the group resulting in losses to Publix of over $650,000.
The following individuals have been charged:
- Â Leon Stovall, 34, of Orlando, for one count of grand theft in excess of $100,000 and one count of conspiracy to commit grand theft.
- Jeffrey Hodge, 59, of Orlando, for one count of grand theft in excess of $20,000.
- Michael Shechtman, 21, of Orlando, for one count of grand theft in excess of $20,000.
- Maitland Sparrow, 35, of Orlando, for one count of grand theft in excess of $20,000.
- Â Khiree Price, 23, of Orlando, for one count of grand theft in excess of $20,000.
- Â Kristopher Harris, 36, of Cocoa, Fla., for one count of grand theft in excess of $10,000.
The following individuals are currently not in custody:
- John Kennedy, 21, is wanted for one count of grand theft in excess of $20,000.
- April Bursey, 35, is wanted for one count of grand theft in excess of $10,000.
- Andrew Leeman, 20, for one count of grand theft in excess of $10,000.
Anyone with information on this case or knows the whereabouts of the wanted individuals, you are urged to contact FDLE Special Agent Wes Mullins at 1-800-226-8521.
