On September 8th, 2023, Orlando officers detained a man at a Navy Federal Credit Union attempting to deposit a $23,000 check from the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. That check was fraudulent. Miranda was handled cleanly. The detective read all four adisements, got individual acknowledgements after each one, and confirmed no threats or promises were made. The subject waved and agreed to talk. Okay. >> You want to talk about what's going on right now? You want to ask some questions and all that? >> Yes. >> All right. >> Tell me what's going on. I don't know. >> Okay. >> Before I do that, I just got to read you this. Okay. >> Are you being arrested? >> At this point, you're detained >> and I can't talk to you about what's going on. At least we >> This is crazy. >> All right. If you want to talk to me about it, I got to I got to read your letter >> cuz I don't want to cheer this up cuz I don't want Yeah. >> You have the right to remain silent. Do you understand? >> Yes, sir. >> Anything you say may be used against you in court. Do you understand? >> You have the right to talk to a lawyer before and during questioning. Do you understand? Yes, sir. >> If you cannot afford a lawyer and want one will be provided for you before questioning without charge. Do you understand? >> Yes, sir. >> Has anyone threatened you or promise you or anything to get you to talk to me? >> No. No. Okay. Can we talk about what's going on? >> Yes. >> All right. So, what's the deal with the check? >> You mean what's the deal with the check? >> Yeah, the check. the check that you're trying to deposit today that you got to verify and you're trying to make all these phone calls. >> Nothing wrong with the check. >> That's what I'm asking you. >> There's nothing wrong with the check. She didn't tell me there's nothing wrong with the check. She told me I had an error with my verification. Okay. >> And so she told me to go out. She told me to call her. I went outside. >> I called I came back to verify me. The only way to do that to change my passcode. My passcode. Yes. Thank you for my verification. Okay. You feel me? cuz she said that they she said that somebody came in yesterday and they red flag me. But I told her I said, "Ma'am, I will come inside back in the bank if you want me to and verify myself." >> And that's what I did. And as soon as I came asked her, "Do you have a manager?" He y'all came and put me in handcuffs. >> Okay. Um, so you cashed a check yesterday or no? >> No. >> Okay. >> I didn't cash no check. >> And where is the check that you cash or that you're trying to cash today from? Where's it from? >> You said what? >> The check that you're trying to deposit today or cash today? Where's it from? It's from a grant loan. >> A grant loan from what state? >> Texas. >> Texas. Okay. Uh what's a grant loan for? You in school or something or I'm like what the heck? >> I'm just something wrong with THE CHECK OR SOMETHING. Like I'm confused. That's why I'm looking at you like that. Like I'm trying to figure out what's going cuz I was just talking to the clerk. She didn't tell me nothing about this and now you were telling me about a check and all this stuff and then she was telling me, "Oh, well, we could deposit it. It's going to take 5 days." I was like, "Why would you deposit a check if I can't even get if I have a red flag and I can't get a deposit? I can't get a debit card." So, she told her the only way you could do that, you can't verify through us, call the bank. >> So, I went outside was outside earlier. I went outside and I jumped in the car and I was on the phone with Navy Federal. Okay. >> And then she told me, she don't know why they couldn't verify me. Go back in the bank so they can speak to the manager. >> I came in, I asked for the manager and that was it. >> Which car is yours outside? H >> Which car is yours outside? >> Which car is mine? It's um Not even it's a charger. >> Well, it's not my car. It's my people's car. >> Do you drive yourself here or >> No, my friend is in the car. >> Okay. Uh, how'd you get the check? Where'd you get the check from? >> They sent you in the mail. >> Which house? >> To the 20 The one on my ID. >> Okay. And where is that? You know your address? >> I don't know by heart or I'm not from I just moved. I'm not from right now. I can't really tell you the address by heart and stuff. >> How long you been living in Orlando? >> Probably like 2 3 years. 2 3 years and you don't know your address. >> I just moved and stuff like I don't I don't know the address by her. I can get you the ID if you need the ID and stuff. I don't I don't know. I don't have no bad check. I have not done nothing wrong. >> Okay. >> I have not done nothing wrong. But I'm like >> I'm confused. >> Well, I want you to be truthful. >> I am being truthful. Why the hell would I come in here with a bad check? I've been coming here for years. I I never had a fraudulent problem with my Navy Federal. Okay. >> And the Navy Federal account that you have right now is under your name? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. How long have you had that bank account? >> I had I've been with Navy Federal for like 5 years. >> Always same. Always the same account number. >> Always. No, I had uh No, I had called in because I had a problem with a female that I was dealing with. She had my information stuff and so I cancelceled those cards and I cancelled my online. So now like I got to a point where like usually if you call your your debit card, they'll tell you press this or put your 16 digit code. I got to the point where soon once I see my name, it go straight to the operator. That's the security that happened. >> It goes straight to where? >> To the operator. >> Okay. >> You couldn't, you know, you can't check my available balance or none of that cuz I went through a scam. >> Okay. >> Bless you. >> So, now you got a new account number. >> Yes, I got a new account number. >> Okay. So, what was she saying about verifying the check or verifying? >> She didn't say nothing about verify the check. >> She said there was an issue with verification. What was the issue with >> issue? Cuz I had two debit cards. >> Okay. >> But what is what that have to do with anything? That's not nothing. I think she was saying that two debit cards went to >> a separate account to like a different account. I didn't >> cuz that part one that old debit cards to that old account that I closed with my online account. >> Okay. >> So that's the same. It's the same check is the same account when it goes to the online. I close that because a girl got my information. That's all that's should be auto report and documented. >> Okay. So like I said, let me go back. Let me verify all the documents. Let me see everything that they have and then I'll come back and and then you know if I got something to follow up with I'll follow up with you >> right now. This is what you're telling me though, right? I'm telling you the truth. >> I just want to verify what you're telling me right now. >> The guy the it's a black guy that sits right here, bro. He I go to him all the time, bro. I never had no problem with nothing. I'm trying to figure out >> if I'm sorry. >> No, you're good. You're good. >> I'm saying if it was a problem, she should have told. But she told me I had a verification problem. >> Yeah. That's why >> no verification with the check. That was >> She did not tell me that. Like >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm telling you it wasn't a verification with your debit card. It was a verification with the check. >> Why didn't she tell me that? >> Maybe they didn't want you to take off or something, man. >> I could have just left. She gave me my ID. I walked right past you. I walked right past. >> How many How many deposits have you done within the last week into this account? >> To this account? It's going to be like in this week. It's going to be my first deposit. >> First deposit. >> First deposit. I haven't touched the account in a while. I really touched my my Navy Federal account. >> Okay. >> I really touch. >> So there's deposits into this account and I review video. They're not going to be you. >> Videos of deposits >> of deposits. Yeah. Coming in and depositing checks. When I review those videos, are they going to be you? So >> this weekend, >> this week? Let's just say last two weeks. >> No, nothing. Go ahead. >> Well, this is just the only check, right? This one check, >> bro. Bro, you can go. I have nothing to lie, bro. I work for Universal, bro. I have my my life on the line, bro. I'm not going to lie to you about no ass check. Well, that's why I'm going to go clarify what the deal is with the check. >> Please do that. And you will see that you see this one. That's why I have not been >> and I'm going to see what's going on. And you were depositing a check into your account, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. Let me go verify that. All right. >> Thank you, bro. I don't cuz I don't >> Right. Now, I'm not saying you ain't going to jail, right? I'm saying you're just being detained. There's a lot of questions that need to be answered. >> Cuz I have not done nothing wrong. You know what I'm saying? And I don't see I don't see and she told me and she said it was a problem with that. Bro, I could have you could have situ situated that right then and there. You had a manager come look at the check this but lie to me and tell me we can't verify you cuz of your debit card. So if you can't verify me because of the two points of ID okay let me call and figure out what's the red flag when I just called. That's who when you come that's on the phone with the they told me the red flag was because I came and done I had two debit cards and they did not work. >> Okay. If if you need a different verification, I have another ID and this is another ID right here. This is two verifications. >> All right. What you do for Universal? >> I'm a propert I'm a property manager. >> Okay. Property manager of what like what are you property manager over there? >> Basically saying like we get around like for the maintenance they'll get us they give us the property they want to do if they want to clean paint maintenance t I'm the one that tells hey this crew y'all go do clean up. This crew y do the maintenance on this or this little crew right here. Y go paint. >> Okay cool. All right. All right, let me see what's up with the documents in the check, bro. I'll be back. >> You got ID? >> No, it's it's in the car. >> I thought it was in your wallet. >> No, my ID's in my car. >> Okay. >> Your question for >> you going to have to ask that to the tech. >> So, he's right now. >> Yes, sir. >> Just let me know so I can just call and ask my people how I deal with I deal with a lawyer with this. >> This is some racial profiling, bro. This is definitely your profile. Like how how y'all know if I didn't get scammed like question. So on this check it says teacher retirement system of Texas. What what would you all disperse checks for? Is it for retirement accounts or >> retirement accounts? um um if they were a teacher and they were getting a refund from their account um for the 401 plan um even if they're like a beneficiary for a member as well would distribute out like that. >> Well, I I asked cuz he's telling me it's a grant check from schooling. Would you all disperse a check for that? >> Grant check. Um no, we don't have a grant. >> Yeah, he's telling me it's a grant check. So, this is just like a retirement account and beneficiaries of that account. This isn't grant or no financial aid or anything like that. Correct. >> No, it's not financial aid or anything. It's just a 401k pension plan. >> Okay. >> Um, state government pension plan. Yeah. >> Gotcha. Gotcha. Okay. Um, and then if I give you a check number, is there any way you can look that up? >> Okay. And what is it in the amount then? It's for $23,185.92. >> Okay. It said $23,183.92. >> $23,185.92. >> Okay. Sorry about that. >> No, no worries. >> Let me go ahead and check this um to see if I can find anything. Do you mind if I just place you on a brief hold? >> No, no worries. >> Thank you so much for holding. So, um I did not find anything with that information. >> Okay. So, therefore, this check is is fraudulent then. Correct. Fair to say. >> Um I I mean I I I don't want to give out an official or anything like that. >> Yeah. Yeah, I get it. I mean on that. >> Oh, I maybe probably it's it's probably not legit. If you don't have the warrant number and you don't have that check amount, >> it's probably not a real check, right? >> Yeah. Like I said, he's claiming it's a check from a grant, which we know it's not. It's from, you know, it's a 401 type account. It's a retirement account, not a grant account. >> Uh, okay. And then the warrant number doesn't come back in your system, which if you all sent out a check, you would at least have documentation of that and or at least the person social, which you have neither of those. Correct. >> Correct. >> All right. Well, I appreciate it. I will follow up and get some official records from you all at a later time. Um, thank you very much for your help, please. >> All right. You ready to be truthful about the >> check? 33138. I know what's going on. So, you going to see the judge and take me to jail, bro. >> Okay. And it was a grant check. Were you in school? Can you tell me what school you were in? I don't I don't want to talk money. I don't know what's going on. I'm just going to keep it like that. You feel me? My own purpose coming back here is to verify myself. I've been told to verify myself. Two debit card. >> I came in here with this now. I got this and I have another ID and I want to speak to the manager. I been coming here for 5 years. No problems. No, none of that. >> I'm not going to come here on no [ __ ] check, bro. >> Okay. Well, I'm telling you that they in your terms, the check is [ __ ] Okay. >> So, my I didn't know. I didn't know that the check was [ __ ] And when she fact, why did she tell me that? >> Okay, you told me the check is from a grant money from school. That check is from a 401 account for retirement. >> [ __ ] >> No reason why anybody would be sending you that check. Correct. >> So I don't Listen, I'm just telling you what I know. >> Okay. >> I didn't That's not No check that I made. That's just not know I'm not >> I'm not saying you made it. I know. >> I have not did nothing wrong. >> I think the person who made it gave it to you to cash it for them and you were going to get some money. >> Cash it for who to get some money? I make good money. >> Okay. I make real good money, bro. I work I'm a property man. You can call universal. I get paid $25 an hour. >> Okay. >> Like, bro, I'm not going to I can't Who is this person that you said that was talking about? Can I see them and see if I can recognize them? I can tell you who that person might be or something. >> Okay. playing or anything? No. Stand up face the wall for >> What's that? >> I don't know what I'm looking for. Why you being so impressive? >> I'm not being impressing. I got to get a locker real quick. >> Am I on a roast? >> Yes, sir. What's the charges? Force check. Uh defraud financial institution. Grand theft. I am going to have a bond. >> Yes. You have a bond. You tell me about it. >> I don't know it off top my head. >> You taking me? >> No. I have to look it up. >> You want to start working on it? Okay. Yeah, you know what? We're going to hold on to it because it's problem. Okay, >> that's fine. You going to jail. We got to inventory everything before you get to the jail. I see right there for you know what you got. What's What's here, man? >> Huh? >> What? >> There's nothing but herbs. There's nothing in there. You can smell it and tell there's nothing but smell good. >> Nothing's going to hurt me or anything like that. No crazy drugs or anything. Just be honest with you. >> I just told you what it was. It's a herb. >> Like to smell good? >> Yes, I just told you what it was. Um, do you know what's the bond? >> I don't know the bond amount. Uh, it's probably going to be somewhere around, if I had to guess, between five and 6,000. >> Um, but that's a guess. >> 10%. >> That's You got to put 10% of that. So, 500 or 600 bucks. >> All together. >> I'm guessing. >> You know what I mean? If I keep guessing, you're going to get there. You going You're going to get mad at me cuz you're going to say, "My numbers were all for this." I don't know. You know what I mean? >> I'm just ready to go. >> Yeah. I don't know. have a seat. Relax. >> Um, we should be good to go. You're going to 40 for him. You talk to your supervisor. You going to 40 for him and they cool with that or >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. I just want to make sure with you. >> No, sir. You'll be leaving with uh with him. I'm not coming. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> On this side. I think they're think Yep. Should be open right over here. Sergeant should be good. You s >> Yeah, I search him in there. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. I think I didn't check with like up in the top area. >> I don't have nothing. >> You got anything on you? >> I don't have nothing off, man. I don't have nothing. >> I feel like a necklace or something. >> It's a It's a rebel bee. >> It's like a bee necklace. Okay. Make sure there's nothing on it. Man, >> I'm telling you there's nothing, bro. I'm already caught. >> Here at the jail, dude. >> If you take it into the jail, it's a charge. If we find it here, it's not. So, we just want to verify that there's nothing there. >> Well, can I do something right quick? Can I do something so they won't touch me when we get to jail? >> What do you want to do? >> I want to take off my chain, but I don't want nobody else to touch it. >> Where's your chain? >> This is my chain. >> Okay. What do you want to do? >> I want to take it off. I don't want you to touch it. That's the whole point. >> You can't stay out of the handcuff. I can try to do it. I can I can try. Huh? >> Why you going to try? Why can't Why can't I just take it off for you? >> I don't want you to touch it. >> We'll take it off. >> Yeah, go take it off. >> You very make things a lot harder than they need. >> Go ahead, boss. One, >> can you just sit backwards? Go ahead. >> Take it off. >> This is my promise and I have sentimental reason. >> We can take it off. Okay. Go ahead. Go ahead. Permission or they going to rip it off at the jail. Okay. Go ahead. You hold this for I'm trying to find you. I thought there was something. You take it off like that. >> Yeah, I can take it off. It's It's big enough. Is it? >> Yeah. I want to keep that. All right. This one right there comes right. >> You're really trying to keep my cell phone. That's how I go to work and stuff. I can't write a search war on your cell phone. >> Okay. But when I better get when I find out, I better get my phone back. I can't go to work. I have >> Listen, man. Listen, listen. Listen. >> I'm a property man. I have contract. You're going to give me another f. You're going to get me in jail again for my job. Get another phone is the best. >> I cannot listen. I have >> You won't have it for some time. Watch your legs. >> The subject claimed the check was a grant from a Texas school program. The problem the teacher retirement system of Texas is a state pension fund. It does not issue grants. That mismatch killed his story. The detective called the issuing agency directly. No record of the warrant number. No documentation of any payment to the subject. Under Illinois versus Gates, a firsthand institutional confirmation like that clears the probable cause bar with room to spare. At the 11 minute 40 mark, the subject said clearly, "I don't want to talk no more." Michigan versus Mosley requires law enforcement to stop questioning the moment a suspect invokes silence. The detective kept going. That is a fifth amendment problem. Mosley does not require formal language. A clear expression of unwillingness to continue is enough. Any statement obtained after that invocation was potentially suppressible and competent defense council would have moved on it immediately. The arrest came on four counts uttering a forged instrument defrauding a financial institution possessing a counterfeit payment instrument and grand theft. All felonies. All requiring the prosecution to prove the subject knew the check was fake. That element scient knowing intent is what collapsed the case. Depositing a check into your own verified account at your own bank of 5 years does not read like a knowing fraud scheme. The state attorney apparently agreed and dropped everything. Check fraud couriers are a documented pattern. A third party hands someone a check, gives them a false explanation, and the courier walks into a bank not knowing it is fraudulent. The subject's story fits that pattern. Consistent, detailed, never changed. The detective earns a B+. Methodical investigation, clean Miranda, proactive verification call. The Mosley failure is real and significant, but it does not erase what was otherwise a competent performance under pressure. The subject earns a B. Consistent story throughout 14 minutes of questioning. No physical resistance and at the right moment he stopped talking which is exactly what the fifth amendment is there for. The department earns a B minus. Miranda compliance is clearly trained. Post invocation procedure is not in a case with stronger evidence. That gap alone could have collapsed the prosecution before it reached a jury. The takeaway possession of a fraudulent instrument is not enough. Prosecutors need knowing intent and that is hard to prove when the defendant has a plausible consistent explanation and no prior fraud history. Sciencer is where check fraud cases live or die. Let us know if there is an interaction or legal topic that you would like us to discuss in the comments below. 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