“Meatball” Faces Criminal Enterprise Charge for Alleged Treasury Check Scheme

JONESBORO, Ark. — Several recent cases involving alleged forgery of U.S. Treasury checks in Jonesboro appear to be related, with a suspect known as “Meatball” facing serious felony charges.

Demetrice Dashun Jenkins, 40, of Jonesboro, is facing charges including engaging in a continuing criminal gang, organization, or enterprise, a Class Y felony, and first-degree forgery, a Class B felony. On Wednesday, Judge David Boling set his bond at $250,000, cash-only.

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The probable cause affidavit states that on July 17 and twice on July 19 fraudulent U.S. Treasury checks were deposited into three individuals’ accounts at separate locations. All checks were returned as fraudulent, with the total amount of illegally obtained funds reaching $45,846.49.

In each case, three suspects mentioned a person nicknamed “Meatball” as the suspect who gave them the checks. Each also said they returned a large portion of the fraudulently obtained cash to “Meatball.” One of the associated suspects identified “Meatball” as Demetrice Jenkins. Jenkins was also selected out of a photo lineup by one of the suspects, “with 100% certainty,” according to the affidavit.

Police interviewed Jenkins and advised him of his Miranda rights. The affidavit says he admitted to distributing the US Treasury checks and receiving funds for them. Also during the interview, police learned six people were involved in the alleged scheme, with Jenkins playing a major part.

Prosecutors requested the significant bond, stating that Jenkins has a history of not complying with court orders, and that he “doesn’t do what he’s supposed to.” The prosecutor also said a bond revocation request would be filed in pending misdemeanor cases against Jenkins, including a violation of a no-contact order. Going off of that information, Judge Boling set his bail at $250,000, cash-only, meaning the full amount must be posted for Jenkins to be released.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

While the probable cause affidavit does not say which cases were linked to this one, NEA Report has reported on two alleged U.S. Treasury check forgeries in the last month in Jonesboro. See below:

Man Accused of Forging $25,000 Treasury Check Insists Innocence

Jonesboro Man Accused of Forgery on $25,000 Treasury Check