Perham, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — A Perham-area woman is facing five gross misdemeanor charges in Otter Tail County after prosecutors alleged she used counterfeit checks at two stores.
According to a criminal complaint, Lee Ann Jones was charged in Otter Tail County District Court with five counts of possession or sale of a stolen or counterfeit check.
Each count carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both. The charges were filed under Minnesota Statute 609.528.
What the complaint says
The complaint says one check was used on Feb. 16, 2025, at Central Market in Perham. Prosecutors said that check was written for $359.63 and used for groceries.
The store later reported that it could not cash the check. The complaint says bank staff told investigators that neither the Pine Point Bingo Committee nor Jones had active accounts there.
Prosecutors also alleged the routing and account numbers on the check were fraudulent.
The complaint says Central Market later reported two more checks tied to Jones. Those checks were dated Jan. 25, 2024, for $341.55 and Jan. 27, 2024, for $394.45.
More checks reported
According to the complaint, Mark’s Fleet Supply also reported two similar checks. Prosecutors said those checks were used on Feb. 16, 2025.
Those two checks were listed as $283.25 and $363.74.
In total, the five checks named in the complaint add up to $1,742.62.
The complaint says the checks carried the same identifying information and appeared similar in form.
Case status
At this stage, the charges are only allegations. Jones is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The case is listed under Court File No. 56-CR-25-1386 in Otter Tail County.
Readers can track Minnesota court information through the Minnesota Judicial Branch. They can also review the state law tied to the charges through the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
