MT VERNON Ill. (WJPF) – A Mt. Vernon man has been arrested after an investigation into a fraudulent check.

On July 18th an officer with the Mt. Vernon Police Department responded to the call at the Community First Bank.

The offender was identified as 23 year old Cortez Johnson. 

Johnson was also the suspect in five additional fraudulent check offenses.

During a surveillance on July 21st, officers observed Johnson leaving a residence he was known to frequent. Officers were able to initiate a traffic stop and take him into custody. 

At the time of his arrest, Johnson was found to be in possession of uncashed fraudulent checks, blank check paper and a large sum of money in the vehicle.

Johnson was incarcerated in the Jefferson County Justice Center on charges of Identity Theft, Theft Over $10,000, Forgery, and Theft Between $500 – $10,000.

This is an ongoing investigation.