On Tuesday, 29 October 2024, Detectives with the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office began investigating multiple forged checks being passed at banks in the McCracken County area. The crime, often referred to as “Operation Homeless” in the banking community, involves individuals traveling from town to town and stealing business checks from exterior mailboxes throughout the community. The individuals will then typically recruit local persons to enter the banks and present the forged checks as their own. The individuals will then receive the cash money from the recruit, and cash as many checks as possible until authorities become aware of the activity.
Detectives were able to identify a possible suspect vehicle early on in the investigation, thanks in part to the cooperation of local business entities. Continuing to research the information, it was learned the vehicle had been rented in Atlanta, Georgia, and traveled to Paducah, Kentucky, the day prior to the initial report in the matter.
On Friday, 1 November 2024, detectives with the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office were conducting surveillance on a known location that the vehicle involved had previously recruited individuals into the criminal enterprise. Detectives observed the vehicle pull into a local business parking lot and an individual enter the vehicle. A traffic stop was conducted a short time later after detectives observed the operator commit traffic violation. During the traffic stop, detectives identified three individuals from the Atlanta, Georgia area. A search of the vehicle was conducted. The search yielded suspected marijuana, drug paraphernailia, multiple schedule II prescription narcotics, computers, light tracing equipment, portable printer and multiple forms of blank business check stock. The operator, Enrique Johnson, 26 years old and passengers Jahbril Kelley, 24 years old and Dontavis Sellars, all from Ellenwood, Georgia, were arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses related to forged checks.
The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for their cooperation in this investigation and to remind the public to be vigilant towards this type of activity.
Arrested:
Enrique Johnson 26 yoa from Ellenwood, GA
Failure to or Improper Turn Signal – violation
Engaging in Organized Crime – class B felony
Possession of a Forgery Device – class D felony
Criminal Attempt – Forgery 2nd Degree – class A misdemeanor
Receiving Stolen Property under $500 – class B misdemeanor
Jahbril Kelley 24 yoa from Ellenwood, GA
Possession of Marijuana – class B misdemeanor
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – class A misdemeanor
Engaging in Organized Crime – class B felony
Possession of a Forgery Device – class D felony
Criminal Attempt – Forgery 2nd Degree – class A misdemeanor
Receiving Stolen Property under $500 – class B misdemeanor
Dontavis Sellars 26 yoa from Ellenwood, GA
Engaging in Organized Crime – class B felony
Possession of a Forgery Device – class D felony
Criminal Attempt – Forgery 2nd Degree – class A misdemeanor
Receiving Stolen Property under $500 – class B misdemeanor
Possession of Controlled Substance 1st Degree (2 counts) – class D Felony