Two men from Georgia were arrested in Ashland for forcing a homeless man to cash fake checks at several locations.
The men, identified as Jawon Adams and D’Andre Smith from Fairburn, Georgia, were involved in a fraudulent check scheme that took place in Boone County.
It all started when Ashland Police responded to a report on Friday morning at a local bank. A man was attempting to cash a suspicious check, which led to further investigation.
After questioning, the police discovered that the homeless man had been picked up in Columbia by two men. These men then drove him to different places in Ashland and Jefferson City, forcing him to cash the checks.
The victim cooperated with the police, providing descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle. About six hours later, an Ashland police officer spotted the suspect’s car at a gas station.
The driver attempted to escape but was stopped at a dead end on Nevin Court, leading to the arrest of the two men.
Adams and Smith are now facing multiple charges, including second-degree kidnapping, forgery, possession of a forging instrument, and passing bad checks.
When the police searched the vehicle, they found significant evidence such as cash, blank checks, a computer, printer, and several cell phones.
The homeless man, who was unknowingly used in this scam, was taken back to Columbia by the police, who even treated him to a meal as part of their effort to help the victim recover from this ordeal.
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This case highlights how vulnerable individuals, like the homeless, can be exploited by criminals for their own gain. Local authorities have urged residents to be aware of such scams and report any suspicious activity.