17 indicted in bogus check-cashing scheme AMonmouth County Grand Jury returned a 51-count indictment Oct. 1 charging 17 individuals in connection with a bogus check-cashing scheme committed against a variety of financial institutions throughout the state. An investigation conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office in conjunction with the Eatontown and Neptune Township police departments revealed that from January through April, Samuel Heggs, aka "Marcus X-Caliber Armstrong, 27, of Union, and Devron Lockett, 24, of Baltimore, Md., created counterfeit checks using a computer, a printer, and commercially available check paper. The suspects operated out of separate hotels in Eatontown and Neptune Township, according to the Prosecutor's Office. Heggs and Lockett allegedly recruited individuals from street corners, dance clubs and malls in various locations throughout Monmouth County to serve as "runners." The men then issued checks which were drawn on fictitious accounts at a variety of widely-known regional and national banks and which were made payable to the "runners." The "runners" then cashed as many counterfeit checks as they could in a one- to three-day period, utilizing a different branch of the same bank for each transaction, and giving the proceeds to Heggs and Lockett in anticipation of being paid $1,000 each for their efforts, according to a press release from the Prosecutor's Office. The banks victimized by this scheme included Commerce, PNC, Wachovia, First Financial, First Atlantic, and two local check-cashing establishments located in Neptune City and Howell Township. Heggs and Lockett attempted to steal approximately $130,000, the press release said, and were successful in stealing approximately $70,000. The indictment charges Heggs and Lockett with second degree conspiracy as well as with theft of moveable property, attempted theft, forgery, bad checks, and possession of forgery devices, all third-degree crimes. Upon conviction, the second-degree charge carries a potential custodial sentence of up to 10 years and each of the thirddegree crimes carry a potential custodial sentence of up to five years. Heggs and Lockett were arrested March 25. Heggs is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in lieu of $50,000 bail. Lockett is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in lieu of $30,000 bail. The investigation revealed that 15 individuals, as young as 19 years old, served as "runners" for Heggs and Lockett. The indictment charges each of the "runners" with theft of moveable property, bad checks and uttering forged instruments, all third-degree crimes punishable upon conviction by potential custodial sentences of up to five years. Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin stated, "This scheme was an organized financial assault against some of the area's foremost commercial banks and lenders. Heggs and Lockett carefully prepared and then skillfully executed a plan designed to steal from bank to bank across the state. This scheme generated a significant amount of cash before it was stopped." Despite the pending charges, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at a trial by jury.