FAIRMONT — A Ledyard, Iowa, man is facing a felony charge in Martin County.

Jacob Mikel Govern, 23, has been charged with one count of check forgery, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

At approximately 2:23 p.m. on December 30, 2020, a Fairmont Police officer was advised that an employee from US Bank in Fairmont had called and reported that someone had just come through the drive-thru attempting to cash a $600 check that was to be paid to the order of a deceased individual. The employee described the vehicle and license plate, and the officer discussed the matter with another officer.

The second officer was aware of the vehicle and that the individual who drives it associates with Govern, whom he knew had an active felony warrant out of Fairmont for fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle. The second officer located the vehicle and observed Govern enter it. The officers then stopped the vehicle and made contact with Govern.

Govern was advised that he was under arrest for a warrant and was searched. While searching Govern’s person, officers located a US Bank check in the amount of $650 dated December 28, 2020, and made out to the decedent identified by the bank. The back of the check was endorsed in the decedent’s name.

The officers also located a social security card in the decedent’s name, the decedent’s expired driver’s license, and US Bank Visa card and a Bank Midwest Debit card, each in the name of a different woman.

One of the officers spoke with Govern at the jail. Govern told the officer that he obtained the check and other documents a couple of days prior. He said the check was blank except that “Labor” was written in the memo and it was signed on the front bottom right of the check.

Govern said he filled in the rest because he needed the money and that he needed to be able to get his kids to take care of them. He admitted that he endorsed the check in the name of the decedent. Govern stated that he possessed the Bank Midwest card with the consent of the owner.