Man allegedly distributed over $45,000 in an alleged check fraud

JONESBORO, Arkansas (KAIT) – Police have arrested a man after he ordered several people to cash fraudulent U.S. Treasury checks, receiving over $45,000.

Craighead County District Court Judge David Boling on Wednesday, August 21, found there was probable cause to charge Demetrice Dahun Jenkins, 40, of Jonesboro with first-degree forgery (a Class B felony) and continuing membership in a criminal gang, organization or enterprise (a Class Y felony).

According to the affidavit, fraudulent U.S. Treasury checks were deposited into the accounts of three different individuals on July 17 and July 19. All checks were rejected as fraudulent and the total amount of fraudulently obtained funds was $45,846.49.

“All three individuals stated that the person who gave them the checks and to whom they returned a large portion of the fraudulently obtained cash was an individual named 'Meatball,'” the document states.

After being advised of his Miranda rights, one of the offenders identified “Meatball” as Jenkins. He was also singled out of a photo lineup by another offender.

The affidavit states that during an interview, Jenkins admitted to distributing the checks and receiving the funds. In addition, it was determined that six people were involved in the crime, “with Jenkins playing a major role.”

K8 News later found that some of the victims were Alexis Gaston, Richestra Gibbs and Anthony Smith. The three deposited a total of nearly $70,000 in fraudulent checks and withdrew nearly $30,000 of them within three days, giving half of it to Jenkins.

Jenkins is being held at the Craighead County Detention Center on $250,000 cash bail. Judge Boling also ordered Jenkins to wear a GPS ankle monitor upon his release.

Jenkins is scheduled to appear in court again on Monday, October 28.

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