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Forgery is a crime in which a person falsely makes or alters a writing or document with intent to defraud

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A Delaware County deputy has been indicted by a Franklin County grand jury on theft and forgery charges that appear unrelated to his work in law enforcement. James F. Cuccarese II, 45, was indicated Monday on two counts of forgery and one count of theft. He is accused of forging checks from two businesses, depositing one in his bank account in Franklin County and attempting to deposit the other.

A Delaware County deputy has been indicted by a Franklin County grand jury on theft and forgery charges that appear unrelated to his work in law enforcement.

James F. Cuccarese II, 45, was indicated Monday on two counts of forgery and one count of theft. He is accused of forging checks from two businesses, depositing one in his bank account in Franklin County and attempting to deposit the other.

Cuccarese was off duty and not in uniform when he committed the acts last year, Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said in a release.

Cuccarese was placed on paid administrative leave in May when the Delaware County Sheriff's Office became aware of the allegations, spokeswoman Tracy Whited said Thursday. He was placed on unpaid leave after he was indicted. Whited said the office is doing an administrative investigation of the allegations.

According to O'Brien's release, Cuccarese altered a check payable to him from the Bainbridge Firm LLC and deposited it in his account in November. The business placed a stop payment on the check the next month and the $11,250 in funds were withdrawn from his account.

On Dec. 7, Cuccarese went to the bank and presented a check for $12,000 with the forged signature of the owner of Worthington Wellness Center Inc., O'Brien said. Before processing the check, the bank contacted the owner, who denied writing it.

Cuccarese was a part-time employee of the Worthington Wellness Center for several years, O'Brien said.

In September 2011, Cuccarese and two other Delaware County deputies were suspended without pay after they were indicted for unauthorized use of property. They were accused of illegally searching a police database to look up information about an Orange Township official, his wife and another woman.

Ten months later, the charges against the deputies were dropped and each was paid $50,000 by the sheriff's office to settle the case. Cuccarese and one of the deputies returned to their jobs. The third deputy had resigned.

O'Brien said this week's indictment has no connection to the previous investigation.

If convicted of the felony charges, Cuccarese would be required to forfeit his Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy certificate, O'Brien said.

jfutty@dispatch.com

@johnfutty

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Delaware County deputy indicted on theft, forgery charges

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A Delaware County deputy has been indicted by a Franklin County grand jury on theft and forgery charges that appear unrelated to his work in law enforcement. James F. Cuccarese II, 45, was indicated Monday on two counts of forgery and one count of theft.

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The act of theft placed in one's trust.

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ALTAVISTA, Va. (WSET) -- A former Altavista police chief will serve one year behind bars after being found guilty of forgery, embezzlement, and obtaining drugs by fraud.

"It is a sad day," said Judge John T. Cook handing down the sentence to 51-year-old Kenneth Welsh. "The public naturally watches this they look at how we deal with a case like this."

Judge Cook sentenced Walsh to 6-years of jail time with 5-years suspended.

The prosecutor called this a case of quote " Cooking the books at its finest"

Walsh, who pleaded guilty to a forgery charge last spring and copped what's known as an Alford plea to 14 other felonies, said this was all a misunderstanding of paperwork.

But the judge didn't buy it.

Friends testified on his behalf saying Walsh is a decent and honest man. "Ken falls in the category of doing things behind the scenes for the right reasons," said Chief of Altavista EMS, Mark Moss.

But Special prosecutor Wes Nance argued that Walsh knew exactly what he was doing by fixing the books and taking town money to buy drugs.

Walsh's attorney said that this was a simply paper work mix up case and pleaded for mercy. "All hes' got is the job he's got now which he's dependent on for his daughter and his home," attorney David Hawkins said.

Nance, asked for a tough sentence, telling the court that Walsh abused the power of his badge. Nance says Walsh took the prescription pain pills for himself and falsified receipts saying the drugs were destroyed.

Walsh testified about his many health problems saying he may even have bone cancer.

Friends and family members of Walsh testified to the court what a good, decent, and kind man he is. But, the judge said he found evidence of 15 felonies and sentenced Walsh to jail. "This is no way a good day it's a sad day that we're even here the Commonwealth and myself I takes no pleasure in the fact that this is taking place," said Nance.

Walsh also spoke of his 16-year-old daughter, who according to him has severe separation anxiety. His attorney asked the judge to consider Walsh's parenting duties in the sentencing. Walsh's parents say they will file for custody of her.

Walsh left the department last May.

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Former Altavista Police chief sentenced on embezzlement charges

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ALTAVISTA, Va. (WSET) -- A former Altavista police chief will serve one year behind bars after being found guilty of forgery, embezzlement, and obtaining drugs by fraud.It is a sad day, said Judge John T. Cook handing down the sentence to 51-year-old Kenne

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Burglary is the unauthorized entry into any structure with the intent to commit a crime at any point in the day.

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Police said a convicted burglar is "at it again" after he was arrested and charged with aggravated burglary Wednesday night.

East Precinct officers responded to a burglary in progress call in the 2000 block of Jones Avenue late Wednesday afternoon, according to Metro police in a news release. Police said Brandon Mundy, 22, got in through a rear sliding glass door moments before one of the residents came home.

The Northeast Nashville resident was then able to capture a cellphone photo of Mundy as he walked out, carrying a dark colored bag.

Police officers, a canine team and a helicopter began searching for Mundy, finding him lying down, hiding in a tree line. An Xbox game system and money had been stolen from the residence, police said, and Mundy was positively identified by witnesses.

The break-in occurred less than a month after Mundy received multi-year sentences after he was convicted Sept. 8 on other burglary charges. According to police, he received two 5-year sentences and one 3-year sentence.

He was allowed to serve two of them through a community corrections program and one on probation.

Bundy is jailed on $30,000 bond.

Probation revocation warrants are expected to be placed by the court system, police said.
Reach Ariana Sawyer at 615-259-8382 or on Twitter @a_maia_sawyer.

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Police: Man arrested in burglary was 'at it again'

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Police said a convicted burglar is "at it again" after he was arrested and charged with aggravated burglary Wednesday night. East Precinct officers responded to a burglary in progress call in the 2000 block of Jones Avenue late Wednesday afternoon, according to Metro police in a news release.

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Stealing another person's property

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Authorities arrested a Rockledge priest Friday in connection with a fraud case, officials said.The Rev. Nicholas King, 73, who had been pastor of St. Mary's Parish, was charged with larceny under false pretenses and scheme to defraud, the Brevard County Jail said.According to booking information, more than $50,000 was allegedly taken.King posted bail and was released from jail Friday.Rockledge police did not provide any other information.On Saturday, the Orlando Catholic Diocese released the following statement:"We have been informed that Father Nicholas King, former pastor of St. Mary, Rockledge, is the subject of an investigation by the Rockledge Police Department. He is removed from ministry while the investigation is ongoing. The Diocese is cooperating with the investigation. We are saddened by the news of his arrest and ask that people of good will pray for Father King during (this) difficult time and for all those involved in this investigation. May the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours."The diocese's website shows King came to the diocese in 1968. The St. Mary's Parish website shows another priest was appointed to head the church Thursday.

Authorities arrested a Rockledge priest Friday in connection with a fraud case, officials said.

The Rev. Nicholas King, 73, who had been pastor of St. Mary's Parish, was charged with larceny under false pretenses and scheme to defraud, the Brevard County Jail said.

According to booking information, more than $50,000 was allegedly taken.

King posted bail and was released from jail Friday.

Rockledge police did not provide any other information.

On Saturday, the Orlando Catholic Diocese released the following statement:

"We have been informed that Father Nicholas King, former pastor of St. Mary, Rockledge, is the subject of an investigation by the Rockledge Police Department. He is removed from ministry while the investigation is ongoing. The Diocese is cooperating with the investigation. We are saddened by the news of his arrest and ask that people of good will pray for Father King during (this) difficult time and for all those involved in this investigation. May the gracious care of the Lord our God be ours."

The diocese's website shows King came to the diocese in 1968. The St. Mary's Parish website shows another priest was appointed to head the church Thursday.

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Priest in Brevard County arrested on larceny charge

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Authorities arrested a Rockledge priest Friday in connection with a fraud case, officials said.

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Action involving destruction of/or to public or private property.

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Torie Temple

KAYSVILLE - The social media-fueled creepy clown mania amped up in Utah schools Wednesday and Thursday, with one teen arrested for clown-related threats, clown graffiti at a junior high school and a fistfight involving teens wearing clown masks at a school football game.

In West Haven, a 14-year-old boy was arrested Thursday for allegedly making clown-related threats to fellow classmates at Rocky Mountain Junior High School.

"The student thought it would be funny to capitalize on the recent attention that clown threats have received in the media," said Weber County Sheriff's Lt. Nate Hutchinson. "The student created a fake social media Instagram account using an alias of a clown. He then sent several private messages to his fellow students or his friends threatening to shoot and/or stab them."

The boy was arrested for investigation of four counts of making a threat of violence. He was released after his arrest. The boy was also expelled from school, according to Hutchinson.

"The Weber County Sheriff's Office takes all threats seriously, whether they are meant as a joke or to incite fear," he said. "They will be investigated thoroughly and anyone involved will be prosecuted."

The threats weren't credible and were intended as "simply a joke," but the behavior is unacceptable, Hutchinson said.

* The alleged threats came on the heels of a clown-related incident at Jordan High School in Sandy Wednesday night. Sandy Police Lt. Ronni Stevenson confirmed that two 14-year-old boys came to the high school's powder puff football game wearing clown masks, resulting in a physical confrontation with at least two other people.

"They showed up not necessarily dressed as clowns but wearing clown masks because they thought it would be funny, and found out it's not funny, and some people took offense," Stevenson said. "A fight broke out when the kids were trying to leave and take the masks off and say it was no big deal."

The identities and ages of the assailants have not been determined, Stevenson said. The fight is under investigation.

Jeff Haney, Canyons School District spokesman, said the two boys drew attention when they stood at the edge of the activities. Those who assaulted them reportedly told the two boys they were scaring people, he said.

The individual who started the fight is not believed to be a Jordan High student, according to Haney, who called the fight a "dust-up" and no one was seriously injured. Stevenson confirmed that one of the 14-year-olds went to a hospital to be checked out.

"I don't even understand this whole clown thing," Stevenson added.

* Chris Williams said he and other Davis School District officials had the same reaction when they discovered clown-related graffiti at a Kaysville school Thursday morning: "You've got to be kidding me."

The graffiti was discovered at Fairfield Junior High School, 951 N. Fairfield St., and appears to be related to the creepy clown anomaly that is disrupting schools around the country.

"We see this as just plain vandalism," said Williams, the district's community relations director.

Messages spray painted outside three doors to the school included, "I'm the real clown," "Fake clowns die" and "I will kill," along with a lot of "ha ha" tags.

Williams said police are investigating the vandalism, and he believes it will only take a few days to identify the clown or clowns responsible because "kids love to talk."

"Whoever did it is going to be held responsible and is going to pay for the cost of cleanup, it's just as simple as that," he said.

Kaysville Police Lt. Paul Thompson said police are looking for surveillance footage that may identify anyone involved with the graffiti at Fairfield Junior High. A clown-related Instagram post connected to the school was also reported earlier in the week, but police have not determined who was responsible.

In the meantime, extra police patrols have been assigned to the school in hopes of easing concerns from students and parents.

The three incidents are the latest in a series of episodes in Utah schools following a social media phenomenon of people posting photos and videos - some threatening - claiming to be connected to frightening clowns and clown sightings. Reported clown sightings have occurred in Utah this week in Orem, Provo, Roy, Ogden, Kaysville, Lehi, Murray, Tooele and West Point.

While Fairfield's schedule was not interrupted by the vandalism, an estimated 60 students out of the 1,060-person student body were checked out of school Thursday, Williams said. In other cases, parents came to the school to talk to their frightened children.

"They want to be at school," Williams said. "We're trying to keep this as low-key as possible."

The students who left school are responsible to make up any missed work for the day, he noted.

Williams said he was reminding people Thursday of the unnecessary panic that spread following Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast, which detailed the fictional arrival of hostile aliens from Mars.

"There has been no credibility to any of the rumors that are going on in this state, in many states, and that's the downfall of social media. We have to train ourselves and our children about what's a legitimate information source," Williams said.

Thompson called the national trend the result of fear and misinformation.

Contributing: Ben Lockhart

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: McKenzieRomero

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School clowning: Utah police investigate threats, fight, vandalism

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Vandalism at Fairfield Junior High School in Kaysville, a fight at Jordan High School in Sandy and an arrest for alleged threats in West Haven are all being investigated, part of the creepy clown social media hype disrupting schools around the state.

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Extortion is the use of threats to obtain the property of another, commonly called blackmail. Extortion generally covers threats to do future harm, destroy property or injure someone's character or reputation.

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Burlington woman charged in extortion attempt

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BURLINGTON - A woman was arrested Wednesday in connection with an extortion attempt. Emily Janette Inge, 76, of Burlington was charged with extortion and is being held in the Alamance County jail, according to a Burlington police news release. She is being held on $15,000 bail.

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Robbery is the unlawful taking of property from a person's immediate possession by force or intimidation.

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Robbery reported at U.S. Bank in Des Plaines

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A man robbed a bank in Des Plaines early Thursday afternoon, according to the FBI.

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The act of setting fire to property on purpose.

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News about Arson, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.