Lang
2/4/20
Allegedly depositing a stolen check into his bank account and withdrawing cash has led to an Iowa City man’s arrest.
Iowa City Police say 24-year-old Brandon Juniel of Taylor Drive burglarized a car on August 18th, stealing a checkbook in the process. Fraudulent checks were then cashed from the account.
Investigators found one of the checks, which had been written to Juniel for $2,400 and deposited into an account in his name at Green State Credit Union on Muscatine Avenue. Surveillance video shows Juniel at the credit union opening the account.
Juniel allegedly withdrew money from the account shortly after depositing the check, including cash withdrawals from an ATM. The signature on the check appeared to be forged, and the check was returned as fictitious. Green State was owed approximately $1,100.
Police say Juniel never reported fraudulent activity on the account, and never tried to access the account again after the initial withdrawals. Also, multiple checks written from the negatively-balanced account were attempted to be cashed with no corresponding deposits.
A search warrant was executed on Juniel’s residence, turning up the debit card used to access the account and documents relating to the account.
Juniel is charged with 2nd Degree Theft, Forgery and Identity Theft over $1,000. If convicted on all three charges, he faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
Juniel has a lengthy criminal history involving previous weapons, assault and rioting charges. He’s currently serving time in the Johnson County jail after being convicted of a Rioting charge in connection with a large fight on Hollywood Boulevard last July.