ELMIRA — A 55-year-old Elmira woman has been arrested on felony forgery charges after allegedly stealing and cashing another person’s checks.
Michele L. Porter was charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree and forgery in the second degree, both Class D felonies, according to the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began May 13 when someone walked into the sheriff’s office to report that their personal checks had been fraudulently signed and cashed.
The case was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division, which determined that Porter had stolen checks from the complainant.
Investigators said Porter filled out multiple checks to herself, forged the complainant’s signature and then cashed the checks.
Porter was arrested and arraigned June 18 in Town of Southport Court.
She was released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues, according to the sheriff’s office.
