POLK COUNTY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) — Joseph George Shockley, a 61-year-old resident of Crookston, entered an Alford plea to the charge of felony theft by swindling. This means he maintains his innocence but acknowledges that there is sufficient evidence to convict him.
The presumptive guideline sentence for this crime is 21 months; however, the prosecution seeks an aggravated sentence of 42 months. A presentence investigation has been ordered and will be completed before the sentencing hearing on January 23rd at 9 a.m.
In November 2022, a Connecticut police department informed Crookston authorities that a woman reported being swindled out of $241,000 by Shockley. He claimed she needed to pay taxes on significant prizes she had won, including a new Cadillac.
Later in June 2023, another report was made from Ohio for a loss of $53,100. Law enforcement confirmed that Shockley cashed the checks at a bank in Crookston.
A search warrant was executed on his home and vehicle, where police found records indicating he had been flagged for using the postal service to commit fraud.
Shockley was interviewed by police on June 28th, 2023, and admitted receiving checks from both women. He claimed to be in contact with actress Reese Witherspoon, who wanted his help.
He stated that he wired money internationally to assist Witherspoon’s foreign friends by cashing the checks in Crookston, Grand Forks, and changing them into cryptocurrency in Fargo. Shockley kept $1,000 per transaction.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for trfnews.i234.me