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RBS MoneyGram Scam Linked to 2012 Identity Theft in Smyrna |
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Written by Debbie Gregory
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Tuesday, February 26, 2013 |
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A scam took place in Red Boiling Springs on Friday, February 22nd, when a woman received a package in the mail with over $20,000 worth of MoneyGram orders, that has been linked to an identity theft case last year in Smyrna.
RBS Officer Jimmy Morgan told the Chronicle that last Friday he received a call from a woman, whose name is not being released, requesting an officer at her residence. Upon his arrival he found a package containing $21,850 worth of MoneyGram checks in ten different envelopes with the name and addresses already written on the front, along with a $5 bill for postage.
It seems the woman had gotten very well acquainted with an alleged solider in Afghanstan and he told her she would receive a package on Valentine’s Day. When the female subject opened it up she found the MoneyGrams and from all indications she was to mail them out after putting stamps on them with the enclosed five-dollar bill.
“The name of the purchaser on the MoneyGrams came back to a man in Smyrna,” Morgan said. “I contacted Detective Jeff Duke in Symrna and he confirmed that man did exist and was a legit guy.”
According to the detective, the man was a victim of identity theft who found out last year when he attempted to buy an airline ticket on line. He also said they were dealing with the same type of activity in his jurisdiction.
The scammer claimed to be in Afghanstan and was sending these MoneyGrams to people across the United States.
“No letters were in the MoneyGrams,” said Morgan, “but the victims received them separately from the solider who stated that he needed this money, but had no way to cash them where he was stationed.”
Morgan said the suspect advised the recipients to cash the money orders and send him $250 and they could have the rest. “They sure looked legitimate, with security seals that functioned,” the officer added. The detective told Morgan that any bank would cash them on the spot.
“I contacted MoneyGrams,” noted Morgan, “and they told me they were flagged, but I would need a court order to receive more information."
Red Boiling Springs Officer Jimmy Morgan still has a lot of unanswered questions in this on going investigation, however he stop the scam and saved the victims $21,850. |
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Charges Pending in Three Vehicle Crash |
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Written by Debbie Gregory
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Tuesday, February 19, 2013 |
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THP Trooper Tracy Donoho was called to Highway 10 South, near Hillsdale Baptist Church, on Saturday night, February 16, to investigate a head on collision that involved three vehicles. Two people received minor injuries and one man remains in critical condition this week at Vanderbilt Hospital.
According to Trooper Donoho, Vaughan Banks, of Scottsville, Ky., was operating a southbound 1990 Nissan Altima on Highway 10, when he crossed the center line and was traveling south in the north bound lane. Joseph McGee, of Dixon Springs, was driving north on Highway 10 in a 1998 Buick, when he swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid a collision and was sideswiped by Banks’ automobile. He came to rest off the roadway on the east side. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Makayla McCoy, a college student in Cookeville, who resides in Hartsville, was also driving northbound behind McGee in a 1997 Dodge 1500 when she was struck head on. Both vehicles came to final rest in the northbound lane.
McGee was taken by private vehicle to the Hartsville Hospital for minor injuries, McCoy was transported by the Macon County EMS to Macon General Hospital for possible injuries and Banks was carried to Vanderbilt by a medical helicopter.
“Open containers of alcohol were recovered from inside Banks vehicle,” stated the Trooper, “which could be to blame for the violent crash.”
Donoho also said that Banks was semi conscious at the scene and the door had to be pried open to remove him from his automobile at the 6:40 p.m. crash. He was not wearing a seat belt but the other two drivers were. Charges are pending against Vaughan Banks.
The scene was finally cleared around 10:00 p.m. and Trooper Donoho was assisted at the crash site by Deputy Jacob Law and Deputy Pam Whitlow, of the Macon County Sheriffs Office.
First responders were the Macon County Sheriffs Office, Macon County EMS, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Macon County Rescue Squad, Lafayette Fire Department, and the Macon County Chronicle.
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Teen Charged with Vehicular Homicide |
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Written by Debbie Gregory
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Tuesday, February 19, 2013 |
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A 19-year-old Bethpage teenager has been arrested and charged with Vehicular Homicide, in connection with the motorcycle death of Matthew “Brett” Minchey on Tuesday morning, October 12, 2012, inside the Lafayette city limits. Danielle Renee Jackson turned herself in at the Macon County Sheriffs Office on Friday afternoon, February 15, 2013, after she was indicted by the Grand Jury.
Jackson was driving an eastbound blue 1996 Chevy Lumina shortly before 10:00 a.m. back in October of last year, when she ran the stop sign at the intersection of Highway 52 and 10. Minchey was operating a 2003 Harley Davidson motorcycle, when he attempted to cross the busy intersection, heading down Highway 10 South. He was tragically struck and killed when the 4-door automobile pulled directly into his path.
“A witness at the intersection stated that Jackson ran the stop sign and pulled into Minchey’s path last fall,” reported Investigating Officer Jeff Hix, of the Lafayette Police Department.
Minchey was pronounced dead at Macon County General Hospital and Danielle Jackson was not injured.
Danielle Jackson’s bond is set at $15,000 and a General Sessions court date is scheduled for March 25, 2013.
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Saturday Night…Two Traffic Accidents |
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Written by Debbie Gregory
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013 |
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A section of Highway 10 North from Vinson Road to the Ellington Drive intersection was closed for several hours Saturday night, February 9, when a semi flipped onto its’ side dumping a load of rice bran that resulted in property damage. |
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Read more...
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Brian Osborne Found Guilty |
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Written by Debbie Gregory
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Tuesday, February 12, 2013 |
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After a two-day trial last week before Criminal Court Judge David Durham, Brian Allen Osborne, of Lafayette, was found guilty of aggravated arson.
As previously reported in the Macon County Chronicle, 33-year-old Osborne was charged with aggravated arson on Sunday, April 10, 2011, after setting a gas can on fire on the back porch of a residential home while the inhabitants, a family of three, slept inside.
Osborne resided at 1137 Oak Knob Road.
Macon County Sheriffs Department Deputy Kyle Petty stated in his report that Osborne was witnessed standing over the gas can while it was on fire. A General Sessions Court date had originally been scheduled for April 27, 2011.
During the trial Osborne was represented by a public defender and several witnesses were called to testify. Aggravated arson carries a minimum sentence of 15 years and 25 maximum.
He will be sentenced on Monday, April 1, 2013.
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