Hunter
04/20/25
An Iowa City man faces felony charges after he was implicated in a check-stealing incident.
According to police, 24-year-old Abraham Barkayoko of the Quarters on Highway 6 East conspired with an employee of Proctor and Gamble to steal paychecks between September and December 2023. An investigation alleges Barkayoko provided the employee with a bank account that was not in his name to wire the money to. The employee then reportedly got into the payroll system at P&G and changed the victims’ direct deposit information with the account provided to them by Barkayoko.
The two allegedly stole three paychecks totaling over $5800.
The investigation reportedly determined that Barkayoko paid the P&G employee from the bank account, knowing the funds were illegal proceeds from the theft. Barkayoko allegedly took the remaining money and transferred it into crypto currency in an attempt to launder the money and avoid reporting requirements.
A warrant for Barkayoko’s arrest was issued on June 4th of last year. He was located and taken into custody Saturday night. Charges include 2nd degree Theft, Money Laundering, and Conspiracy to commit a Non-Forcible Felony. If convicted on all counts, Barkayoko could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.
The co-conspirator, identified as 22-year-old Dangelo Washpun, also of the Quarters Apartments, was arrested August 22nd and charged with 2nd degree Fraudulent Practice, 2nd degree Theft, and Conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, all Class D felonies. On January 24th of this year, the theft and fraudulent practice charges were dismissed, and he was given a deferred judgement and two years probation on the conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony charge.