Pair Accused In Check Fraud In SE Portland

A seven-month investigation led police to a southeast Portland home where officers said a man and woman created dozens of counterfeit checks. George James pleaded not guilty Thursday to 40 counts of identity theft. A judge has also issued an arrest warrant on theft charges for Michelle Newell. According to a 37-page search warrant, police first grew suspicious of Newell after her neighbors reported possible drug activity. Police set up a stakeout and eventually moved in on her trash cans in hopes of finding evidence. Officers said they found items that showed evidence of a large identity theft operation. During the search, police said they found all the material a person needed to organize a counterfeit check operation. Posted in: Check Fraud