Brigantine police allegedly broke up a multi-state check-altering scheme after activity near a local bank raised suspicion.
Sgt. George O'Donoghue started an investigation after he saw suspicious activity near the Brigantine TD Bank on Tuesday morning.
Police stopped a vehicle and pedestrian as a result, leading to the discovery of several stolen checks from various states, police said. Some were altered.
Anthony Lee Gonzalez was recruited by men in the vehicle to cash a fraudulent check, according to the investigation.
The check cashed at the TD Bank was stolen, altered and forged, according to the charges.
Gonzalez, 34, of Philadelphia, was found with drug paraphernalia, which led to Sheriff's Officer Joseph Lomonaco and his K-9 partner, Max, being called.
Max indicated there were drugs in the vehicle, according to the report. Police did find suspected crystal methamphetamine.
Officers also found the stolen checks with evidence of check-altering practices and a loaded magazine for a 9mm handgun.
Gonzalez was charged with uttering a forged document, theft by deception, possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute, certain persons prohibited from possessing ammunition due to prior convictions and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is in the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending a detention hearing.
Walter M. McKoy, 58, of Jacksonville, Fla., was charged with conspiracy to commit forgery, conspiracy to utter a forged document, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute and certain persons prohibited from possessing ammunition due to prior convictions. He is also jailed pending a detention hearing.
Jerome I. White, 36, of Lumberton, N.C., was charged with conspiracy to commit forgery, conspiracy to utter a forged document, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute and certain persons prohibited from possessing ammunition due to prior convictions. He also is awaiting a detention hearing.
William T. Leach, 32, of Clinton, Md., was charged with conspiracy to commit forgery, conspiracy to utter a forged document, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, possession of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute. He was released on a summons.
