GSPD cracks mobile forgery operation
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
A mobile forgery operation and drug contraband were confiscated by the Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD) Friday, Dec. 2, when officers arrested a Longview woman and her female transient companion.
“We see lots of forgeries and credit card fraud, but this is the first time we have seen a whole mobile operation going on,” said GSPD Chief Gary Boshears.
“The Dollar General store staff called us Thursday night,” said the chief. “The two women had tried to make a purchase with a check the store declined and reported as a possible fraudulent check The two suspects left, but the staff provided a description of them and their vehicle.”
Officers quickly located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on Ranch to Market Road 1431 near the intersection with Farm to Market Road 1980.
“As the officers spoke with the driver, the odor of burnt marijuana was emanating from the passenger compartment,” said Sgt. Chris Decker, in a public information release.
In a search of the vehicle, contraband found included drug paraphernalia, more than half an ounce of marijuana, almost seven grams of methamphetamine and pills believed to be ecstasy (MDMA).
Additionally, the vehicle appeared to be a mobile forgery operation. It included multiple forged checks along with check printing hardware, software, a laptop computer, blank checks with security features, check templates, multiple checks with same account number from the same bank and the same check number but different amounts and payees, and electronic equipment utilized to forge financial instruments.
“We will be looking into identification information confiscated for other victims or locations of crimes,” said Boshears. “If a merchant accepted one of these checks, it will likely come back as 'not a valid check' and that should be reported to law enforcement.”
The suspect arrested were Lori Ann Barton, 32 years old, of Longview and Deborah Lynn Rodgers, 24 years old, who would claim no address.
Both subjects were booked into the Burnet County Jail Friday morning, Dec. 2, on multiple charges: Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Forgery of a Financial Instrument, and Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information. All but the Possession of Marijuana are felonies, including a first degree felony for Manufacture/Delivery of a Controlled Substance. Barton posted a total of $31,000 bond the same day. As of Monday morning, Rodgers was still in custody on $31,000.
“It was quick thinking on the part of citizens that made this arrest possible,” said Sgt. Decker. “Without their report and accurate details, these two might have passed through town and kept going.”
Boshears said the incident highlighted the importance of checking ID for unknown people making purchases with checks or credit cards.
