BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — A second person has been arrested in connection with an ongoing check fraud investigation in Bowling Green, according to the Bowling Green Police Department.
Police arrested Ashley Cox, 36, of Bowling Green on Wednesday in connection with a fraud scheme involving alleged incidents dating back to October 2025. Authorities say Cox admitted to participating in the scheme alongside Joseph Cockroft, 45, also of Bowling Green.
Cockroft was arrested in November 2025 after officers executed a search at a local hotel. During that search, police reported finding suspected counterfeit checks, check stock, tax documents, at least nine credit or debit cards, and other fraud-related materials.
According to investigators, Cockroft admitted he had been creating fraudulent checks for several years and relied on a network of individuals to cash them. Police seized confirmed and suspected fake checks made out from various local businesses in amounts ranging from $120 to more than $1,200.
Both Cox and Cockroft are currently being held at the Warren County Regional Jail.
Cockroft faces multiple charges, including engaging in organized crime, criminal possession of a forged instrument, possession of a forgery device, and theft by unlawful taking involving amounts between $1,000 and $10,000.
Cox is charged with engaging in organized crime – criminal syndicate, second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, possession of a forgery device, and theft by unlawful taking within the same monetary range.
