Serial Fraud Suspect Sought: Extensive Criminal Past Tied to Counterfeit Check Purchase

JONESBORO, Ark. – A suspect is accused of using a false check to buy a large trailer from a company recently in Jonesboro, a report filed this week said. It’s one of a litany of incidents involving the wanted man.

The most recent incident happened to Silver Moon Trailers, 1802 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in Jonesboro. According to the manager’s report filed on December 11, the suspect, identified as Jeremy Murphy, 35, visited the establishment on November 17 and bought a sizable goose neck trailer. Murphy provided all necessary identification and completed a financing application through C3 Rentals for a rent-to-own contract. Although C3 Rentals facilitated the trailer’s financing with Silver Moon, Murphy had to make a down payment, which he did using a Wells Fargo Bank check totaling $1,946.91. After finalizing the paperwork, Murphy left the premises with the trailer.

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Over a week after the purchase, the manager learned that the check Murphy provided was fraudulent. Murphy also failed to make any payments to the C3 finance company.

The police report specifies that Murphy will face charges of first-degree forgery and theft, both felonies, for this incident.

But Murphy has a long history with law enforcement. Detective Paul Williams has been investigating numerous other cases involving Murphy this year alone, the police report says. Court records reveal a prior criminal record, including convictions for theft by receiving and fraudulent credit card use in 2007, three forgery convictions in January 2008, and a theft conviction in Jackson County in March 2008. Additionally, records indicate at least 11 more forgery convictions and several theft convictions between 2010 and 2018, all detailed in a warrant for his arrest issued in September, 2023.

Presently, Murphy also faces multiple forgery charges stemming from incidents in August, 2023. On August 1, a victim reported writing a check to Murphy for power washing services, only to discover several months later that fake checks using his routing number had been cashed. Another victim reported a check from his business account being cashed locally, which was traced back to Murphy. In police interviews, Murphy admitted to creating and cashing these checks, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The police report notes an issued warrant for Murphy’s arrest. Court records also indicate a failure-to-appear warrant in Crittenden County and additional failure-to-appear warrants in Craighead County.

If you have been a victim or can help police locate Jeremy Murphy, contact JPD here.