Detectives Arrest Mail Theft & Fraud Suspects, 20+ Potentially New Victims Identified
Yesterday, Detectives arrested two suspects for multiple charges during the execution of a search warrant. Due to the investigation and subsequent search warrant, Investigators identified potentially twenty, or more, additional victims.
On February 7, 2019, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Task Force (ITF) Detectives with the assistance of the United States Postal Inspection Service and Spokane Valley Investigative Unit (SVIU) Detectives, executed a search warrant in the 11900 block of E. Mansfield in the Spokane Valley.
The search warrant was obtained after a lengthy, 3-week investigation into the fraudulent use of checks at local banks and businesses in and around the Spokane area. Investigators learned the checks had been stolen from mailboxes in the East Spokane County area, north of Spokane Valley.
Through the investigation, ITF Detective Dean Meyer identified 44-year-old Carma R. Jones, and 46-year-old Jaime D. Spain, as suspects and obtained a search warrant for the Mansfield location.
Jones and Spain were arrested at the scene for a variety of charges to include Identity Theft, Forgery, Possession of Stolen Property, Theft and Unlawful Possession of Payment Instruments. During the search of the residence and two vehicles, more than twenty potentially new victims were identified. Investigators recovered stolen checks, credit cards and financial documents believed to have also been also stolen from the mailboxes.
The United States Postal Inspection Service will be contacting the additional potential victims as part of this ongoing investigation.
Jones was transported and booked into the Spokane County Jail for 4-counts of Identity Theft 2nd Degree, 4-counts of Forgery, Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree, 2-counts of Theft 3rd Degree and Financial Fraud-Unlawful Possession/Production of Instruments.
Spain, also transported to the Spokane County Jail for Identity Theft 2nd Degree, Forgery and Possession of Stolen Property 2nd Degree, was declined by medical staff and not booked due to a previous, nonrelated medical condition. Although released, Spain still faces these charges.
As this investigation continues, Detectives expect to charge both, Jones and Spain, with additional charges as the evidence collected is processed and potential victims are contacted.