McHenry man sent to prison for writing almost $18,000 in bad checks

A McHenry man who a prosecutor said was "living the life of a con man" was sentenced to 31/2 years in prison Friday for writing nearly $18,000 in bad checks to buy items including an exotic bird, $400 in pizza and defense attorney fees in an another criminal matter.

Michael D. Lancaster, 31, of the 3300 block of Lorient, previously had been convicted of eight counts of deceptive practices stemming from a flurry of fraudulent checks authorities said he issued last year in Lake in the Hills, Crystal Lake, Woodstock, Marengo and other parts of McHenry County.

Court documents indicate that, besides the bird, pizza and legal costs, Lancaster also wrote bad checks for car repairs, stereo equipment and limousine service.

"He was using the entire community as his personal ATM, getting whatever he wanted for nothing," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Ryan Blackney said.

Lancaster, Blackney noted, already was on felony probation for similar offenses when he committed "the armada of new offenses in this case."

Lancaster did not speak during his sentencing hearing Friday before McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather, but his attorney said that, unlike past brushes with the law, the McHenry man is using the latest charges as a wake-up call. He leads Bible study classes in the McHenry County jail and participates in a substance abuse recovery program, Assistant Public Defender Jason Majer said.

"All of these things show there is a future for Mr. Lancaster other than a criminal lifestyle," Majer said.

Prather said she believes Lancaster's claims of a wake-up call, but added: "I hope it's not too little too late."

Along with the prison time, Lancaster was ordered to pay $17,859 restitution to his victims.