The Lee County Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Unit and the Fort Myers Police Department have arrested 30 people in a check-cashing scam and are looking for 11 other suspects.
Detectives were notified in April of fraudulent activity involving the Lee County School District's payroll account. Several counterfeit checks had been cashed at multiple locations.
The report was filed after district officials were notified by bank that several counterfeit checks had been cashed at Lee County businesses using the payroll bank account number.
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Alayna Deleon, 22.
The counterfeit checks were similar to authentic checks but had been written to individuals not employed by the Lee County School District.
In a joint investigation, detectives reportedly discovered the checks had been cashed at Wal-Mart and check-cashing stores. Surveillance video and identification used when cashing checks ID'd the suspects.
All suspects face charges of uttering a false instrument and grand theft. Eight suspects are still being sought.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office also obtained warrants for Michael J. Farace, 47; Crystal Cherrelle Gary, 24; Rhonda Luvenia Moore, 31; Alexis Rodriguez, 44; and Archie Jerome Russ Jr., 22.
The Fort Myers Police Department is looking for three people: Tenish Ruffin, 28; Joseph Byrd, 21; and Alayna Deleon, 22.
Inmate photos and additional information on those arrested is available by visiting the Lee County Sheriff's Office website at www.sheriffleefl.org and clicking on the Arrest Search button on the home page.
