North Carolina deputies are looking for a Garner woman accused of using counterfeit $50 bills to buy gift cards at businesses in two counties.
Natesha Lashay Cheeks, 30, is wanted in connection with a counterfeit money investigation in Craven and Jones counties, according to WITN.
The Craven County Sheriff’s Office says Cheeks bought gift cards with fake $50 bills. Deputies said she could be in North Carolina or Virginia.
The case first became public when deputies asked for help identifying a woman wanted for questioning. Authorities later identified her as Cheeks and said she is wanted on multiple felony charges.
Deputies Say The Fake Bills Were Used In Two Counties
Investigators said Cheeks is accused of passing multiple counterfeit $50 bills at businesses in Craven and Jones counties in exchange for gift cards, according to WCTI. She is wanted in Craven County on charges of felony possession of more than five counterfeit instruments, felony uttering a forged instrument, felony obtaining property by false pretense, and felony conspiracy.
Authorities said Cheeks is also facing the same four felony charges from the Maysville Police Department. The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are expected.
Investigators Say She Was Already On Supervision
Deputies said Cheeks was on post-release supervision at the time of the alleged offenses after prior felony convictions out of Brunswick and Wake counties.
WCTI reported that Garner police have also obtained a misdemeanor child abuse charge against Cheeks, and North Carolina Probation and Parole has issued a parole warrant for her arrest.
The publicly available reports do not list the total value of the gift cards or identify the businesses where the fake bills were allegedly passed. The allegations against Cheeks have not been proven in court.
Gift Cards Can Help Turn Fake Cash Into Spendable Value
Deputies say counterfeit $50 bills were used at businesses, and gift cards were received in exchange.
That can leave the business exposed. If a counterfeit bill is accepted, the store may lose the value of the gift card once the fake cash is rejected.
The Federal Reserve says the best way to determine whether a note is genuine is to rely on security features such as the watermark and security thread. For $50 bills, the U.S. Currency Education Program lists key security features including the security thread, portrait watermark, and color-shifting numeral 50.
Retailers who receive suspicious bills or recognize Cheeks are asked to contact law enforcement rather than approach her directly.
Deputies Asked For Tips On Her Whereabouts
The Craven County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information about Cheeks’ whereabouts to contact investigators.
WCTI reported that tips can be submitted to the Craven County Sheriff’s Office at 252-636-6620, Craven County Communications at 252-633-2357, or Craven County Crime Stoppers at p3tips.com/986.
Deputies said Cheeks may be in North Carolina or Virginia.