BENTON - Area merchants should be on the lookout for bad checks being written on closed accounts.
According to Scott County Prosecuting Attorney Paul R. Boyd, Judy Strachan has allegedly written checks on three closed accounts in and around Scott County. Two felony warrants are pending and include charges of writing checks on the closed accounts with US Bank, First Star Bank and First Security State Bank.
One case involves checks written prior to Feb. 10 and another is in regard to check written after Strachan made her bond after Feb. 10 from the first case. She also has a failure to appear warrant from Alexander County, Ill.; a warrant in New Madrid County for bad checks; and a warrant in Stoddard County for felony bad checks. The suspect has also used aliases of Judy Hansen, Judy Goings, Judy Vincion, Judy Davis, Judy Salmon and Judy Hargrove.
The amount of checks written currently exceeds $4,300 to Scott County merchants. Many of these checks were passed at area convenience stores and restaurants.
Boyd requests that if anyone comes into contact with Strachan that they call law enforcement officials so they can apprehend her for questioning. In Sikeston, call DPS at 471-1500 and talk to a detective. The number for the Scott County Sheriff's Department is 471-3530. Any information relevant to her whereabouts is needed.
"Please be advised that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law," Boyd said. "The existence of a warrant or criminal charge is merely an allegation of criminal activity."