Logansport woman convicted by jury in forged check scheme

Last Updated on August 13, 2024 by Cass County Communication Network

SOURCE: News release from Cass County Prosecutor’s Office

Logansport, IN – Prosecutor Noah Schafer announced that Gail Slavens, 54, of Lafayette, has been found guilty on multiple charges related to a check fraud scheme that occurred in March of 2020. The conviction was handed down by the jury in Cass Superior Court 1 on August 7, 2024.

Slavens was implicated in a scheme that involved cashing forged checks at the Dutch Mill over a period of four days in March of 2020. The checks were purportedly issued by a fictitious business, “Last Call, LLC.” Co-defendants Chad Myer and Justin Hogg previously pleaded guilty to charges related to the conspiracy and testified on Slavens’ behalf at the trial.

Slavens was convicted on seven counts, including two counts of check deception, two counts of theft, and three counts of conspiracy to commit check deception, theft, and counterfeiting. The Dutch Mill suffered significant financial losses due to the scheme and no longer offers check-cashing services to its customers.

Following the jury verdict on the underlying offenses, Slavens admitted being habitual offender, an enhancement that allows for increased penalties for individuals with multiple felony convictions. Slavens admitted five prior felonies, including convictions for dealing methamphetamine, possession of controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine, and two unrelated convictions for theft. This enhancement could add an additional fixed term of 2 to 6 years to Slavens’s sentence.

Slavens is expected to be sentenced on September 4 by Judge James Muehlhausen. She is facing a total sentence ranging from 2.5 to 10 years.