FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Case # 18HF1261
Date: September 6, 2018
MAN CHARGED WITH FORGERY AND STEALING OVER $580,000 FOR PERSONAL USE
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man was charged with forgery and stealing over $580,000 for personal use.
|
Defendant |
Charges |
Maximum Sentence |
Court Date |
|
Jose Angel Martinez Casillas, 30, Tijuana |
Charged on Sept. 5, 2018 with the following felony counts:
Sentencing Enhancements:
|
153 years and four months in state prison |
Arraignment
Date and time: TBA
Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana |
Circumstances of the Case
- At the time of the crimes, Casillas was employed as a maintenance repair worker for John Doe and is accused of having access to the inside of the victim’s home.
- From Aug. 2016 to Feb. 2017, the defendant is accused of stealing checks from the victim’s residence, forging the checks in his name, and cashing or depositing them into his own bank account, totaling over $430,000.
- After cashing or depositing the checks, Casillas is further accused of making online Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions using the victim’s banking information, totaling over $150,000.
- Casillas is accused of using the ACH payments to purchase vehicles and to pay off personal loans.
- On Nov. 10, 2016, John Doe discovered this theft and reported it to the Laguna Beach Police Department (LBPD).
- On Sept. 6, 2018, LBPD arrested Casillas on an arrest warrant.
Prosecutor: Senior Deputy District Attorney Marc Labreche, Major Fraud Unit