CROOKSTON, MN (trfnews.i234.me)— Joseph George Shockley, 61, formerly of Crookston, was sentenced on Thursday to 135 days in jail and five years of probation. A violation of this probation could result in a 42-month prison sentence. Shockley entered an Alford plea last fall to a charge of theft by swindle, acknowledging that sufficient evidence existed for a conviction without admitting guilt.
According to court documents, between May 15 and September 30, 2022, Shockley fraudulently obtained and cashed checks totaling over $300,000 from two women in Polk County, who sent him $60,000 and $240,000, respectively. The scheme involved promises of expensive vehicles and additional cash, followed by requests for more money purportedly for taxes and other expenses. Some of the funds were sent to an unknown individual. Shockley is also under investigation in Ohio and Connecticut.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for trfnews.i234.me