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Local man facing felony charge

FAIRMONT — A Fairmont man is facing a felony charge in Martin County for alleged check forgery.

Nathaniel Ray Corley, 39, has been charged with check forgery, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the report:

On Jan. 2, the Fairmont Police Department was advised by a victim that a burglary had taken place at his house, and numerous items had been taken.

On Jan. 3, the victim advised that one of his checks had been passed from his bank on Dec. 28, 2016, and was written out to SuperAmerica. The victim explained that his driver’s license number was on the check, along with a phone number that was not his. He also explained that a safe was taken during the burglary that had several of his old driver’s licenses inside of it.

On Jan. 12, he provided a bank statement that showed additional checks that had passed from his account that were not authorized. Checks were written out to several local businesses, including Freedom Gas, KwikTrip, Casey’s General Store and HyVee, all in Fairmont.

During the investigation, officers spoke with the manager of one of the businesses to determine if there was surveillance video of the individual passing the checks. While looking for information, a store clerk asked if what they were doing was about a check, and explained that she had helped a man on the morning in question and he was not acting right. She indicated she believed he was under the influence of something.

After locating the transaction, officers observed the suspect wearing a brown colored Carhart type sweatshirt with the hood up. The individual was observed writing a check for $192.92 from what appeared to be some type of checkbook. It was observed that he also presented what appeared to be a driver’s license.

Officers determined the suspect to be Corley, and on Jan. 12, an officer made contact with Corley at a residence in the 700 block of East Seventh Street. The officer informed Corley that he was being placed under arrest for check forgery. Corley did not seem surprised, and cooperated as he was transported to the Martin County Jail.

At the jail, Corely was read his rights, and agree to speak with the officer. During the interview, he said he was approached by a female and was asked if he wanted to make some money.

He said she provided him with 8 to 10 checks. He said she had a scam running in which they would call a business and gain permission ahead of time to pay the check from someone who was not the owner of the check. Corley said the checks were filled out ahead of time by the woman, or another male party he did not know.

Corley said that once in a while he would have to fill in the amount, but for the most part they were filled out before he entered the business.

Corley denied any knowledge of the burglary.

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