News : Second Suspect Charged in Eastern Iowa Check Forgery Scheme

Deavin Baker, 35, of Georgia, accused of being involved in a forged check cashing scheme at banks in the area.

Mikal McCarty faces a dozen charges in Johnson County as part of the check forging scheme

A second person has been charged in connection with an alleged check forgery operation that spanned multiple communities across eastern Iowa.

According to a criminal complaint, 35-year-old Deavin Baker of Georgia, along with several alleged co-conspirators, used stolen bank account information in July 2023 to produce forged checks.

The group is accused of recruiting individuals from local shelters and community food pantries-offering them $150 per day-to cash the fake checks at banks located in Iowa City, Nichols, Lone Tree, Coralville, North Liberty, La Porte City, and Vinton.

Investigators say the forged checks were made out in the names of those recruited. The suspects reportedly instructed them on what to say and how to act while attempting to cash the checks. The money obtained was allegedly used to purchase clothing and burner phones to further support the scheme.

Authorities discovered four forged checks left behind in a Cedar Rapids vacation rental that had been leased for two days by one of the suspects.

So far, at least four checks were cashed successfully, with attempts made on two others. The checks ranged from $1,800 to $2,900, with a total value of $13,230.13.

Mikal McCarty, 35, of Decatur, Georgia, had previously been arrested and charged in connection with the same case. Now, Baker becomes the second suspect formally charged as the investigation continues.

Baker and McCarty are both charged with Conspiracy to Commit Non-Forcible Felony, First Degree Theft and ten counts of Forgery. 

Jacob Perrin of Cedar Rapids, was recruited to cash checks, and fled from a bank in La Porte City when employees discovered the fraudulent check and called the police. Employees had heard from a bank in Vinton that a check had been cashed before it was discovered. Perrin then returned to the officer who was still outside the LaPorte bank, 

Perrin admitted to being paid to cash the checks to make some "quick cash."  He then received phone calls with instructions. The scheme involved giving Perrin a check to cash in his own name, and then return the money in exchange for a cut of the amount. 

Perrin faces Forgery and two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Non-Forcible Felongy. 

There were at least six people involved in the scheme. Only three have been identified.