Local agencies make arrests for counterfeit check cashing

The Mamou Police Department has joined forces with local law enforcement agencies in Evangeline Parish and St. Landry Parish to put a stop to the ramped spree of counterfeit check cashing that has taken place over the last several months in the two parishes.
According to MPD Patrolman Phyllis Soileau, “people have been taking companies’ checks and remaking them with the same route number, and then they go cash the check.”
The criminals, according to MPD, have been writing checks for in-between $200.00 and $700.00, which makes the crime a misdemeanor instead of a felony because the checks are under $750.00.
Individuals that have been arrested in connection with these crimes for and by the MPD are: Crystal Cormier, who is being held for Mamou by Eunice Police Department; Darryl W. Smith, who is being held for Mamou by EPD; Marcell Aurthorlee, who is being held for Mamou by St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office; Dion Lenoire, who is being held for Mamou by St. Landry; Helen L. Fontenot, who is being held for Mamou by St. Landry; and Rusty Jack and Jacqueline V. Fuqua, who were both arrested by MPD.
The agencies that have taken part in stopping this recent streak of crimes are: St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office, Opelousas Police Department, Eunice Police Department, Church Point Police Department, Scott Police Department, Jennings Police Department, Carencro Police Department, Ville Platte Police Department, and Louisiana State Police.
MPD Officer Brandon Stagg said, “The Mamou Police Department would like to thank all of the law enforcement agencies that have worked in this joint operation to stop the individuals who have been cashing counterfeit checks.”
The names of the businesses that have been targeted by these counterfeiters has not been released.