Fort Dodge police are announcing multiple arrests after a four-month fraud investigation. Police Chief Tim Carmody said officers began to investigate fraud and forgery cases where an organized group was making fraudulent payroll checks, then went on to cash in the Fort Dodge area.
Carmody said since the investigation started, officers discovered the same group began expanding their criminal activity across the state of Iowa and into neighboring states. At this point in the investigation, the group had acquired more than $50,000 in cash through their criminal enterprise.
Charges were filed against 30-year-old Marion Rhodes and 30-year-old Jonny Young, both of Fort Dodge. Both men are charged with ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony. Rhodes was arrested on Wednesday. He remains in the Webster County Jail in Fort Dodge on a bond of $25,000. Young remains at large.
Carmody further stated that there are at least 20 others who have been identified as co-conspirators, including many who are already in custody and have been charged. The names of the other suspects were not available but Carmody said there will be more information to be released as the investigation continues.
By Pat Powers, KQWC, Webster City