FAIRMONT — A Fairmont man is facing a felony charge in Martin County.

Steven David Willette, 53, has been charged with one count of theft by swindle, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

On July 5, a Sherburn/ Welcome police officer took a report from an individual at Welcome State Bank. The person said that on July 1, Willette opened a new account, depositing a check in the amount of $4,450.

The check Willette used to open the account was made out to himself and drawn upon the account of a construction business purportedly doing business out of South Carolina. The check was dated June 11.

On July 3, Willette returned to the bank and withdrew $3,500 in cash from the account. The individual reported that the deposited check was ultimately returned, and it was determined to be a fraudulent check.

On Aug. 8, a Fairmont police officer responded to Bank Midwest in Fairmont, where he met with an employee. The employee said a man had opened an account and deposited two checks, then withdrew the money in cash. The employee said the two checks came back as fraudulent, and gave the officer a copy of both checks, an account summary and the man’s driver’s license, which belonged to Willette.

The first check deposited at Bank Midwest was in the amount of $2,450 from the account of a credit union in Kentucky. The second check was in the amount of $4,450 from the construction company in South Carolina.

Both officers attempted numerous times to speak with Willette regarding the checks. Willette claimed to be unavailable and failed a scheduled meeting with one of the officers.

On Aug. 15, another Fairmont officer drove to Willette’s residence in the 1500 block of North Park Street. The officer met with Willette, whom he recognized from prior contacts.

The officer asked Willette about the checks deposited at Bank Midwest. Willette said he had sold property, including a shoebox containing coins, for which he received a $4,450 check from the buyer. Willette was unable to give the officer the quantity of coins sold.

Willette also said he received a $2,450 check from a buyer who purchased a high-performance motor scooter and a racing go-cart. When asked whom he sold these items to, Willette said he was unsure. He said the buyers were two white males, approximately 50-60 years of age.

Willette said he deposited the checks at Bank Midwest as soon as he sold the items. The officer asked if he had any other bank accounts, Willette said he had an account at First Farmers & Merchants Bank.

When asked if he sold any other property, Willette said he received another $4,000 check as he had “sold another round of junk.”

When asked for his Craigslist login ID, Willette said he did not know his login ID, then said he may have been in contact with a buyer through Facebook Marketplace.