Montgomery, Ala. - Seven Montgomery residents were arrested after being indicted by a grand jury for their involvement in a fraudulent check cashing ring being operated out of a Montgomery Wal-Mart store announced U.S. Attorney George Beck from the Middle District of Alabama. The seven individuals arrested were: Courtney Deon Gardner, 25; Audrey Valisha Porterfield, 43; Joye Nicole Perdum, 30; Tamala Caprice Avery, 34; Tocory Dewayne Washington, 31; Brittney Kae Ball, 32; and Joshua Jerome Bean, 25. The individual arrests took place on a variety of dates. The earliest occurred on Oct. 15, 2015, and the final arrest was on November 4, 2015.
According to court documents, Gardner, Porterfield, and Ball worked as tellers in the money center of the Wal-Mart store located on Ann Street in Montgomery. Through their positions, these defendants cashed stolen or fraudulent United States Treasury checks for the other members of the scheme-Washington, Bean, Perdum, and Avery. The seven would then share the proceeds of the fraudulently cashed checks. The investigation revealed that the scheme resulted in a loss of approximately $290,000.00 to the victims-including the United States Government and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Each defendant was indicted for conspiracy and theft of government property charges which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment if convicted. Washington and Bean were also charged with aggravated identity theft offenses and face up to an additional six years in prison if they are convicted.
The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Montgomery Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Ross is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
