Published: 1/26/2007

Wood County jury convicts Toledoan in check scam

BLADE STAFF

BOWLING GREEN A Toledo man has been convicted by a Wood County Common Pleas Court jury for his role in a counterfeit check-cashing operation.

Following a three-day trial, Keith Barnes, 23, of 2838 Holyoke Drive was found guilty Wednesday night of complicity to theft in excess of $100,000, forgery, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, and two counts of tampering with evidence. He is to be sentenced March 16 by Judge Alan Mayberry.

Barnes was arrested in March after attempting to cash a phony check for $681 at a Sunoco gas station in Perrysburg Township. Police found two torn-up checks in his pocket. Prosecutors alleged Barnes was one of the people who cashed more than $100,000 in counterfeit checks or found people to cash checks for Lee Darrington.

Darrington, 29, and Adaris Welch, 20, both of Toledo, are scheduled to go on trial in Wood County next month on charges of theft in excess of $100,000 and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity.

Three others associated with the operation have pleaded guilty to reduced charges and have been sentenced.

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