Hunter
04/08/25
A Georgia man accused of being a part of a large check cashing scheme has been arrested.
According to the police report, 34-year-old Deavin Baker of Palmetto was in Iowa July 11th and 12th, 2023. Over the course of those two days, Baker and at least five other co-conspirators used stolen bank account information to print and cash, or attempt to cash forged checks in Iowa City, Nichols, Lone Tree, Coralville, North Liberty, La Porte City and Vinton.
Police say Baker and his co-conspirators would recruit people from shelters and community food pantries. They would reportedly print checks in their names, buy them new cloths and burner phones. They then would give them instructions on how to act and what to say when cashing the checks. The recruits were reportedly paid $150 per day for their cooperation.
The checks ranged in amounts between $1800 and $2900. They successfully cashed at least four of these checks and were unsuccessful at four locations. An additional four forged checks were allegedly left behind in a vacation rental home in Cedar Rapids, which was rented by one of the co-conspirators over the two days.
Baker and his co-conspirators allegedly continued their scheme throughout Iowa and other states.
He was arrested late Monday afternoon and charged with Conspiracy to Commit a Non-Forcible Felony, 1st degree theft, and ten counts of Forgery. If convicted on all counts, Baker could be sentenced to up to 65 years in prison.