A friend of mine was arrested on multiple counts of forgery under Iowa Code 715A.2 and Ongoing Criminal Conduct under Iowa Code Section 706A.2.
He is alleged to be the "middle man" in the scam as he was the person that picked other defendants up and dropped them off at places to cash checks. The detective and county attorney both say that he is NOT the person that created the checks nor did he cash or otherwise "present the checks for cashing or goods."
All other defendants are charged with varying degrees of theft ranging from an aggrivated misdemeanor to a class D felony under Iowa law. No other defendant is charged with forgery or ongoing criminal conduct.
How can my friend be charged with these higher level criminal acts, when even the prosecutor is saying that he is not the person that created, signed, or executed the checks? He is facing 25-50 years in prison according to the judge and prosecutor. All other defendants are looking at 2-5 years. Why such the disparity in prosecution? Is this selective prosecution and/or discrimination?
He is alleged to be the "middle man" in the scam as he was the person that picked other defendants up and dropped them off at places to cash checks. The detective and county attorney both say that he is NOT the person that created the checks nor did he cash or otherwise "present the checks for cashing or goods."
All other defendants are charged with varying degrees of theft ranging from an aggrivated misdemeanor to a class D felony under Iowa law. No other defendant is charged with forgery or ongoing criminal conduct.
How can my friend be charged with these higher level criminal acts, when even the prosecutor is saying that he is not the person that created, signed, or executed the checks? He is facing 25-50 years in prison according to the judge and prosecutor. All other defendants are looking at 2-5 years. Why such the disparity in prosecution? Is this selective prosecution and/or discrimination?
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