On May 25th, 2023, deputies were dispatched to a Navy Federal Credit Union after a bank teller flagged a suspicious $21,000 check. >> I don't know exactly. >> What's up, man? I'm Deputy Carbone with Orange County Sheriff's Office. You have an ID on you? >> Go ahead and hang up the phone. You're not going to be on the phone for this. >> You have an ID on you? >> Do you have an ID on you? Was my question. You said yes, you do. Do you mind if I see it? What's going on? I'll explain it to you as soon as you give me your ID. My ID is in the car. >> Your ID's in the car? Yes, sir. >> Okay. Go ahead and turn around for me. Put your phone on. Put your Put your wallet down. Turn around for me. >> Right now, you're being detained pending an investigation. I'll explain everything to you as soon as we step outside. You understand? >> You speak English, right? >> Yes, sir. >> You understood the words that I just told you? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So, hang tight. As soon as I get you outside, I'll explain everything to you. Is that pretty clear? Yes, sir. >> All right. Perfect. [Music] >> All right. I'll explain everything to you as soon as I get you outside. >> That's the third time I tell it to you. Go and walk out for me. [Applause] >> Why am I pending an investigation? >> I'll explain everything to you as soon as I get you outside, man. What What part of that don't you understand? I'm trying to be very compliant with you. Right. Because you're being detained pending an investigation. I'm going to explain to you as soon as I get you out here, man. Just give me a second so I can explain everything to you. >> What have I done? I haven't done anything for you, so I might not read you anything. >> All right. So, I'm Deputy Carbone with Orange County Sheriff's Office. Before I ask you any questions, because I have you detained, I've got to read you your rights. Have you ever been read your rights before? >> Yes. Okay. >> Am I able to get my information out of the car? >> Take a seat. Take a seat. Stick your feet out. Cross your legs. County. I got one secure. >> I might. >> Just hang tight, man. Let me read you your rights. If you want to answer questions after I read you your rights, we'll go from there. You don't even know what I'm going to ask you yet, do you? >> No, I don't. >> Exactly. So, hang tight for me, man. >> All right. So, the Constitution requires me that you have that I inform you that you have the right to remain silent. Anything you say will be used in court as evidence against you. You're entitled to talk to an attorney now and have him present or now or any time during this questioning. Do you understand? Yes, sir. >> If you not if you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you without cost. Do you desire to consult with an attorney first or to have one during this interview? Yes or no? >> Yes, sir. Okay. You understand? By saying yes, you I cannot speak to you. You understand that? >> Bring an attorney. >> You can speak to me. >> Do you want to speak to me? Yes or no? If you want an attorney, present, I'm not going to speak to you. And then I'm going to go off base what the bank has told me. >> So, the bank got information that the check you're trying to cash is fraud. >> It's fraud. >> Yeah. And you just tried cash you tried cashing it over the phone. You just tried cashing it in person. >> Cashing over the phone. >> Yeah. >> How did I try to cash it over the phone? They got a picture of you with the number of the check and the amount for the check because you're you sold the car, right? Yes, sir. >> That car is registered to somebody else. So then you tried cashing that check. So you fraudulently tried cashing a check. >> Car registered to the American Americans? >> No, it's registered to a completely different person. It's not even in your name. >> Where's the car registered to? >> That none of your concern. The fact you don't know proves my point. Do you understand that? >> No, I'm not saying that. >> So where did you get the check that you're trying to cash? >> I got it from the for the buyer. This wasn't buying. >> You got it from the buyer? Yes, sir. >> Okay. Who What's the buyer's name? >> America Johnson. >> America Johnson. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> American American Johnson. >> Okay. And how did they get the car? >> How did he get the check or how did he >> How did he get the car? How did he get the car? >> Yeah. >> I was >> Okay. The car is not even in his name. So, how did he get the car? How is he trying to sell it to you? >> He's not selling the car. >> So, what are you trying to do? buying the car from himself. >> He's trying to buy the car from you. Yes, sir. >> Okay. How did you get possession of the vehicle? >> I was given the car >> by who? >> Someone came and gave me the car. So, >> you don't have a name. You don't know who you do business with. Anything like that? You see how sketchy that is? >> I know who I do business with. I know that's not a fraud check, sir. The check is fully verifiable on their end as well. >> It It's not. And the bank already flagged you. That's why I was already there. >> How was I flagged, sir? >> All right. Hang tight for me, man. You're just going to run in circles. That's fine. Is this your social security? >> I'm asking. >> Cool. Hang tight for me. Can you say 102? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yes, please. Cody Martin >> to the order of Cody Martin. >> Do you have his ID? Oh, >> I do. >> Oh, that's a fake ID. That is a fake ID. >> I'm going to run it and find out. But his social matches it >> a different color. Anyway, >> that ID is weird, man. >> Is this one of y'all's checks? Yeah. >> Yeah. A different color. >> That's our check. >> It shouldn't be. >> It's a loan draft. >> Yeah. Oh, okay. I'm thinking regular credit cash check out. >> So, they have Did you show them the notes? >> No, I we have a note. I told him what happened and >> this is where we are. >> Okay. >> So, >> on the members account, the member Jameson >> um he says suspicious activities. He can't even tell me where he got the car from >> because you know he doesn't have it. >> Yeah. >> Our member visited Patrick Air Force Base >> out in Bard. >> Yeah. Trying to cast the line. >> This one >> our not the guy that >> this is our member. >> Okay. >> This Cody Martin is not our member. >> But he tried this Mary Kane tried cashing the check >> for the same amount. >> Yes. The same exact tried to cash this check. >> Right. He said he had the title but was not able to provide um cuz they asked some proof for the where's the vehicle and he said he was texting someone and keep asking why I was asking for the title. Non-member had the paperwork for the loan. >> All is the non-member. So it was him. >> The non-member still has >> he has no proof of the vehicle. >> No, he doesn't. So cuz what they do is they >> he doesn't have the vehicle >> get fake. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. No, I was telling him about cuz I asked for it up cuz he was a >> Let me get out. >> So he already knew >> Delta vehicle 842. Can you run a 29 for me? >> Sorry. Whoever Jon America Kane is went to Patrick's Air Force Base and tried to cash the same check and got flagged for fraud. So, unless you show me proof of a title of the vehicle, registration of the vehicle with your name on it, or any sort of that stuff, you're going to go to jail today for fraud. Okay. The bank is willing to prosecute and press charges. This is not a true check. >> So, that check, I have the paperwork with the check to show. >> What paperwork? >> Right there to show what he gave me. This is what he gave me, sir. >> It doesn't matter what he gave you. I need I need the documents I told you. >> This is what he gave me. So unless you have the title of the vehicle with a proof of purchase or a bill of sale, you're going to go to jail today. Please not take me to jail today. >> I was shooting. >> This doesn't show me proof that you purchased a vehicle from him or he purchased a vehicle from you and he's paying with this amount. >> That is the auto loan check. that he got he gave me. >> I get what you're saying, but it's not it's not proof. >> It's not proof. >> I'm not lying. >> Okay. Well, you haven't been truthful yet. So, I don't believe you. >> So, hang tight, man. [Music] >> I got to run this by you before we go any further. Yeah. >> Sorry. So, he's saying this is what he used to get the check. Is this what you guys would send out? Would you guys even send out a $21,000 check like that? >> So, what we would do is the member if the member says, "I'm buying a car from this person." >> So, I feel like a different member knows. >> Well, that's the member, right? >> Right. That's not him. He should The member would have >> How did the his name get on the check? >> Because this person said Cody Martin was selling me a car. >> Okay. So, I'm going to make the check payable to myself and Cody Martin. So, Cody Martin can get the check cuz he's selling me a car. So, he told me like this person told Navy Federal that Cody Martin has a car online from Cody Martin. This is the amount Cody Martin told me the car is going to cost. So, we made a check payable. So, Cody Martin it >> but the car is in somebody else's name. >> That's the thing number. >> Okay. Go. Hey, howdy. Howdy. >> Yeah, exactly. >> All right, Mr. Cody. If if you can't prove to me that you own that car, >> there's nothing I can do for you. >> Sir, I have not taken a vehicle, sir. There's nothing stolen. There's no one taking or selling or taking anything at this number. >> So, you went to the cashier, the teller, with this check and you said, "I need to cash this because I'm selling a car." >> Correct. >> Okay. >> The teller was already aware that you were going to try to come here because they sent an email with your picture and the other guy's picture. So, they knew exactly who you were cuz this check was already tried to be cashed at Patrick's Air Force Base and was Stop talking. When I'm done talking, you can talk or if I ask you a question. Fair. All right. So, when Patrick's flagged this, they sent it to all the other Navy federal branches and said, "This is a fraudulent check. There's no proof. There's no bill of sale, no title of the vehicle, no proof at all that this check is for the sale of a vehicle, which is what you're claiming it to be." Correct. >> Okay. So, without that proof, it is a fraudulent check because the vehicle is registered to somebody completely different who is currently driving the vehicle. I wouldn't follow my answer >> because you're cashing a check that does not work for the sale of the vehicle. So, you showed up to a bank to cash a check for a vehicle that you're selling. Correct, >> sir? >> Yes or no? >> This is a loan. >> It's a yes or no question. >> Yes or no? >> I have not claimed, >> Mr. Cody. Yes or no? >> So, I have not claimed that I'm selling that vehicle. >> You showed up because you said this check is because I'm selling a vehicle to this other individual. Yes or no? >> Come out my mouth. >> Okay. Do you want me to play back my body camera or get the camera from the from the bank? Which one would you like? Cuz they both have you saying it. >> No, sir. I have not came out my mouth saying that I am selling a vehicle. I said I have an auto loan check. >> You said this check right here is for the sale of a vehicle. Yes or no? >> I said that is auto loan check. It did not come out my mouth that I >> Okay. You understand English, right? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Do you have a mental malfunction I'm not aware about? That you cannot understand my communication. >> I'm talking to you from English. >> No. No. It's yes or no. Do you have one that I'm not aware about? Yes or no? Okay. So, the questions I'm asking you are yes or no questions. They're pretty straightforward, right? They're so that I can get further in this investigation. So, you have been unable to answer my question. The check that you are trying to cash is for the sale or a transaction of a vehicle. Yes or no? Yes. >> Okay. So because you have been unable to provide the proof that either you or this other individual have the title or bill of sale for the vehicle in this check is project. You understand? So it's making it fraudulent because you understand because you don't have the vehicle. >> You have no proof the vehicle is yours. >> So how is it coming to fraud on on that end when the bank flagged it as fraud? >> It's a loan. It's literally a loan. I have I do not have the vehicle. It's a loan. No one's took anything. No one's stolen anything. take loan and I was just told that the check was fraudulent because there was no loan on the that check had to be given to Amirus. That check had to be given to you. >> So you have no proof of the vehicle making the check fraudulent. You have I have not printed out that check. Sir, I have not done anything to that check. Sir, >> your attempt to cash this check with the teller today is sufficient for the bank to press charges. Do you understand that? >> I have not done anything. Hey, I'm getting a loan in my >> Are you a 22 car? >> Yeah. >> Okay. I already called your supervisor. It's just going to be a transporter. >> Okay. >> So, >> please, sir. >> Please, sir. >> I I just need somebody to transport. >> So, I'm not the one. >> I haven't said one time. I have to talk. >> You want to put him in your car? >> Yeah. Um, do you want to swap cut real quick? >> Yes. >> Thank you, sir. >> Please, sir. Oh my god. You can get on. >> Thank you. >> Please, sir. Would I be able to talk to the bank, sir? >> No, you're not going to be able to talk and verified. And now my my >> Yes, they have. >> They have called and verified that the attack is fraudulent. You just did and the teller in front of me. I have not tried to cash I was standing behind you just now. I have not tried to cash. >> Exactly. That one attempt is all you need. >> He said the check has already been cashed. >> Yes. The other person went to attempt to cash that same check at Patrick's Air Force Base. >> How would he try to cash the same check if there's only one check out? >> Not sure. You're going to have to ask him. Man, >> this is crazy. >> Cuz the bank already flagged that check. >> What am I doing that's fraud? >> Hold on. You guys back out. >> What am I What am I doing that's fraud, sir? >> I'm not understand. What have I done that's fraud? I'm not understanding >> the check. The fact you attempted to cash the check. >> I haven't stolen a vehicle. >> Who said anything about stealing your car? >> I haven't taken a vehicle. I'm not cashing the project. >> Who's making the check fraud? >> I explained that to you already multiple times. >> I'm I'm not sure how else I can explain it to you. >> So, because I don't have a title to the vehicle. >> Correct. You have no proof. >> So, what's he want? I don't know for you to not send him to jail. >> Yeah. >> You don't want to go to jail? >> Well, >> jailitis. >> What I mean, do we have an actual charge? What is it? >> It's him trying to catch a [ __ ] check. >> Okay. Where's he at? >> He's in my car. >> Roll the window down. Which side is he? Pass your side. Driver's side. [Music] [Music] >> Hey, I'm Sergeant Anderson. You asked to speak to a supervisor. >> Yes, sir. >> What's going on? >> So, basically, they're telling me that I'm being charged with fraud with a duplicated check. >> Yes. >> And the check that is the only check that has been given to me. There has I have not gone anywhere else and tried to cash a check. A duplicated check. >> Okay. >> I haven't done anything, sir. >> Who uh who gave you the check? >> America's America's Johnston. >> Who's that? >> He is the person who got the auto loan. So, he has to get approved for the loan. He has to go into the bank and sign off on the loan. This check is fully verifiable. It's >> Who's America's Johnson to you? >> He's my friend. >> Why are you going to Is it the check in your name or his name? >> It's in my name. >> It's payable to me. So basically, >> he wrote you a check. >> No, he didn't write the check. He got it from the bank. So basically, you can get a auto loan from the bank and you can turn it into an individual seller auto loan. >> So basically, you don't even have to have the car. >> All right. So So he goes to a bank, gets a check made out to you from a bank. >> You got the loan from Navy Federal. You got to approve for the loan and you're issued a check. So that check right there in the position that I had was up close to check. Only check that I've had. >> So why do you have the check? >> I have the check because he wrote it out to me. >> Why did he write it out to you? >> So because basically I cash it and funds. >> Why were you going to split the funds? >> Because he got an auto check off his credit. So basically he's just liquidating credit. That's it. >> Where's the car at? >> Liquidating credit. No one has the car. No one's taking the car. No one's stealing the car. How did he get a loan on a car? >> So, basically, he applied for Navy Federal. There is nowhere on there that you have to have this car. There's nowhere on there that they're making you put this check toward this car. There's nowhere on there, sir. You can >> So, is it like an equity line on the car that you >> It's not off the car. It's basically he went to them, requested, hey, look, this is the case. I'm asking for 21,000 >> off my credit >> for you guys to give me a check. And literally, I can go cash the check myself. He cannot deposit it in his account. I could have >> What collateral did he use for the 21,000? >> His credit. It's his credit. He's open the account. The personal loan. >> Uhhuh. >> On his account. Open on his account. >> So, it's a personal loan for 21,000. >> Yes, sir. >> And and and he's offered to split the proceeds with you. >> Yes. All >> That sounds awful shady to me. All >> do is cash it, sir. >> That sounds awful shady. Why is he offering to split it with you? >> All it is is liquidating. >> Why Why is he offering to uh split it with you? because we're liquidating the currency. That's all it is. Nothing illegal about it. >> So, so basically he's getting a personal loan that he ain't intending to pay back basically is what you're telling me. >> No, he's paying it back. >> He has to pay it back. >> So, why is he giving you half the funds? >> Make or make his payback. >> Why is he giving you half the funds? >> Because I helped him build his credit, sir. >> So, he's giving you how much? >> Half. >> Half of what? >> The 20,000. >> So, he's giving you 10 grand. >> Yes, sir. >> His credit was at a 500. I hope you get his credit, sir. All right. Well, you still might be going to jail. Sounds awful shady to me. So, hang tight. Let me look into it. >> Please, sir, because they have yet. I walked in the bank. I didn't run the check. I didn't say I'm cashing this check. >> Did you present it? >> I have the card. >> Did you present it? I >> handed them the check, sir. >> Well, that's bad news in Black Rockck. If you present the check, I'm >> not lying to you. But that check is valid. It's a valid check. It's not a duplicate. It hasn't been trying to >> I don't think there I don't think there's a question of the validity of the check. I think this question is as as to how this whole check came to be >> exactly >> is the problem. >> Exactly. >> And I think that's shady. >> Exactly. >> You agree with me? It's kind of shady how the whole funding process >> there's no on their end there is no them making you have to have this at going towards a car. There is no on their end. >> Right. But on your end there's some shadiness on your end. >> No, there's no shadiness on >> All right. Well, let me figure out what's going on. Okay. >> Please, sir. Sir. >> All right. Roll the window back up. VIN number of the car. Yeah. Yeah, he has it. Cuz what's funny is that a manager at another branch reached out to an access number. >> Who who's the check made out to? >> The check is made out to him and a >> Yeah, that's when he says American or something like that. >> Mhm. >> Mr. is saying that. >> Okay. All right. All right. All right. Has he been mirandized yet or anything? >> Iandized though. >> Did he invoke? >> Uh, he said he wanted a lawyer and then he kept talking. So >> So this right here is >> Hey, whose car is this that you were getting a loan on? >> It's a sellable car. That car is for sale. There's nothing showing that we're not getting that car. We have 90 days to send the bank title to the car. There's nothing showing. So, who's the owner of the car? >> Nothing showing. It's from a dealership. They're selling the car there. We can literally both >> That car has got a person's name attached to it. Registered to an individual. >> Yeah, it's for sale. That car is for sale. >> What dealership has it? >> That car is for sale. >> What dealership does it have? >> Um, it was out of, if I'm not mistaken, who was from a dealership on um somewhere around Miami, if I'm not mistaken, it's all in my home. The dealership who has it. And we literally could go to them with 10,000 to get the car. >> Well, you're still under arrest and you're still going to jail. We're just going to give economics a call and figure out the appropriate charge cuz this whole thing is shady. >> Okay. All right, sir. What? Nothing I can do. Absolutely nothing I can do. The handcuffs are staying on. >> I have not done anything, sir. That car is a sellable car. That car is not someone's car who's not selling that car, sir. >> I have not done anything. He has 90 days to give Navy Federal the title to the car. No one said we have to have the >> That's between you and your attorney to solve. >> All right. >> He was charged with uttering a forged check, but the state attorney's office declined to prosecute. The case was dropped and the charge was dismissed. Share your thoughts in the comments below.