Elbert Authorities Warn of Fake Checks

In Elbert County, authorities are asking retailers and other businesses across a several counties to be on the lookout for fake checks being passed in the name of a condominium association.

Elbert County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Darren Scarborough said the sheriff’s office was notified last week about the checks being passed through an account in the name of Tallassee Condominium Association, Inc.

That account has been closed for several years, but checks are turning up in Elbert and surrounding counties.

Scarborough says the sheriff’s office is working in conjunction with several different agencies on the case.

“We have been working this case in conjunction with the Elberton Police Department, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office, and Hart County Sheriff’s Office,” said Scarborough. “These checks have been passed at various locations in the county, in the city, and in Oglethorpe, Madison, and Hart counties.”

So far, two people have been arrested for passing the bogus checks.

Authorities say that on March 3rd, 33-year-old Kenya Langston of Elberton allegedly tried to pass a check from that account in the amount of $492.86 at the local Ingles.

Langston was arrested and charged with felony Printing, Executing, and Negotiating a Fictitious Check.

Another individual, identified as 39-year-old Derrick Henderson, also of Elberton, allegedly tried to cash two checks totaling over three hundred dollars at Ingles.

Henderson was arrested and charged also charged with felony Printing, Executing, and Negotiating a Fictitious Check.

Scarborough is asking retailers to be alert for checks from the Tallassee Condominium Association, Inc. closed account.

“Tallassee Condominium Association is an account that has been closed for some time, and if you see these checks, do not cash them because they are indeed fakes,” he said.