Arrest warrants issued for check forgeries

SPRINGFIELD -- Authorities in Springfield have issued arrest warrants for 20 people, including three alleged ringleaders, in a scheme in which people would work just long enough at a job to receive a paycheck, then forge more copies of the check and cash them.

Area businesses allegedly lost more than $40,000 through the scheme.

Sangamon County State's Attorney John Schmidt says he has seen thousands of forgery and deceptive-practice cases, but this is the first time he has seen an organized conspiracy to commit that type of crime.

According to grand jury indictments, the scheme was headed by 20-year-old Jennifer Edwards and Shawn Frye and 21-year-old Richard Davis. Frye's mother, 35-year-old Patricia Whittaker, is accused of helping scout for accomplices.

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