Detroit man charged in counterfeit check scheme

DETROIT (AP) -- Federal agents say a Detroit ex-convict has admitted creating phony U.S. Postal Service checks that were cashed for more than $100,000. A criminal complaint signed by a Postal Service investigator says Christopher Townes made counterfeit checks after paying people to make copies of their legitimate paychecks. The court filing says the scheme lasted more than a year, and Townes would keep a third of the profit. Townes appeared in Detroit federal court Monday and was released on bond. No attorney is listed yet. Townes runs a tire shop in Detroit and has an extensive criminal record. During a recent search of the business, investigators found printers, computers and paper to make checks. Published: Thu, Nov 29, 2012