A Hager City woman is facing multiple felony charges after attempting to cash a fraudulent check in Prescott on January 2, landing her in Pierce County Jail. Olivia Suzanne Meerkins, 34, was arrested and posted a $10,000 signature bond on January 3 in Pierce County Circuit Court. She faces charges of felony misappropriation of ID information to obtain money, theft of movable property, and receiving or concealing stolen property, all as a party to a crime. If convicted, Meerkins could face up to six years in prison and/or fines up to $10,000.
According to the criminal complaint, Prescott police were called to the WESTconsin Credit Union at around 4:39 p.m. after a woman attempted to cash a suspected fraudulent check. Upon arrival, officers found Meerkins leaving the bank. When questioned, she claimed she had entered the bank only to use the bathroom and denied attempting to cash a check. Meerkins also tried to explain that she was cashing the check for her uncle.
A bank employee reported that Meerkins’ actions seemed suspicious. She had presented a driver’s license that wasn’t hers, which belonged to a WESTconsin Credit Union employee. When asked about her employment status, Meerkins said she was unemployed and couldn’t recall the name of her previous employer.
Meerkins later agreed to speak with police, admitting that she had been given a stolen wallet by a woman named “Britt” a few days earlier. She said that her husband suggested she attempt to cash the check using the stolen ID because she “kind of looked like” the person on the license. Meerkins admitted to knowingly attempting to cash the check and said it was her husband’s idea.
Meerkins was arrested and taken to Pierce County Jail. Officers informed her husband, Calvin Joseph Meerkins, 40, who was parked nearby, that she would be taken into custody. Calvin Meerkins is scheduled to appear in court on February 24 to face charges of theft and receiving or concealing stolen property, both as a party to a crime.
Olivia Meerkins is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on January 23 at 1:45 p.m.
