(Source: Robbie Ward The Citizens’ Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (MCT) — Two people accused of involvement in theft of $9,300 from Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank dating to November were arrested this week, while warrants were issued for two others.
Detectives with the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office investigated a scam in which individuals made fraudulent deposits into bank accounts and later withdrew money before the bank realized the accounts did not have funds.
The chief security officer at Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank, 101 N. Blakely St., Dunmore, identified fraudulent deposits made using empty envelopes in checking accounts in the names of Michael Morrison, age and address not known; Joshua Langston, 37, 2208 Prospect Ave., Scranton; Joseph Anthony Baez, 37, 917 Wood St., Scranton, and others, criminal complaints show. Fraudulent deposits or withdrawals were also made at other bank branches in Scranton, Archbald and Moosic.
Levi “Un” Brooks, 44, 1110 S. Webster Ave., Scranton, identified by investigators as the ringleader of the scam, was arrested Wednesday, said Lisa Bauer, a detective with the DA’s office. She said Brooks is accused of hiring people to open bank accounts in their names and turn over debit cards to him. He is accused of making more than $15,000 in fraudulent deposits to the bank.
“He preyed upon people who had young kids and had tough times,” Bauer said.
Brooks is facing charges of theft by deception, receiving stolen property and related counts. He was in Lackawanna County Prison on Thursday on a $75,000 bond.
Angela Doughitt, 42, of Scranton, accused of opening a bank account and making a fraudulent deposit, was arrested on Thursday and released. No bail information was available.
Langston, a suspect related to the scam, was arrested in May on charges of theft by deception, receiving stolen property and criminal attempt to receive stolen property. He was released from Lackawanna County Prison on July 20 on a $20,000 bond and is awaiting court proceedings.
Bauer said authorities continue to search for Baez and Tina Tuttle, 37, of Scranton, and potentially others associated with fraud committed at the bank. Baez is wanted for allegedly transferring his debit card to Brooks. Tuttle is accused of helping recruit people to open bank accounts on behalf of Brooks.
rward@timesshamrock.com
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Source: Robbie Ward The Citizens’ Voice, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (MCT)
