Lang
3/5/25
Two suspects are accused of stealing, then forging signatures on checks they took from an elderly Iowa City resident.
Iowa City Police say 26-year-old Jared Johnson of Nichols and 20-year-old Grace Morrison of Iowa City both worked for the alleged victim at his East Davenport Street residence last summer. Between October and December, they reportedly cashed thousands of dollars in forged checks they stole from the man. The bank alerted the alleged victim of unusual check activity. The man told police he was unable to keep tabs on his account due to medical issues with which he was dealing.
The fraudulent checks totaled $26,270. Johnson and Morrison are allegedly seen cashing the checks on U.S. Bank and Hills Bank security cameras. A search warrant executed on Morrison’s phone reportedly found a text conversation in which she brags to someone about forging checks being her “thing”. Morrison also allegedly admitted to knowing her victim may be suffering from dementia.
Johnson and Morrison are each charged with 1st Degree Theft Against an Older Individual and Forgery. If convicted on both counts they each face a maximum of 30 years in prison.
Morrison faces added charges of Interference With Official Acts, Providing False Identity Information, and Possession of a Controlled Substance – 2nd Offense after she allegedly gave a false name and date of birth, resisted arrest, and had marijuana in her possession when she was taken into custody at her East Market Street apartment just after 9:30 Tuesday night. Those charges carry a total maximum sentence of 14 months in jail.