Man Faces Multiple Counts of Forgery in Paragould

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Missouri man faces allegations of forgery and theft stemming from fraudulent checks deposited earlier this year in Paragould.

The probable cause affidavit says on June 6, 2024, a local bank reported they had received and cashed four fraudulent checks from a customer of theirs. The bank reported the defendant had opened the bank account on May 29. He deposited the first check into the account after banking hours on the same day. Additional checks followed until June 3.

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The bank provided police with a copy of the defendant’s Missouri ID. Authorities also received a copy of his bank transaction history, which reflected four checks being deposited into his account exceeding well over $1,000, the affidavit said. Video footage showing the defendant depositing a check was also turned over to police.

Jarred Hamlett, 34, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, was arrested on Nov. 7 by the Paragould Police Department on charges including four counts of forgery, Class C felonies, and theft of property, greater than $1,000 but less than $5,000, a Class D felony (jail records show an elevated theft charge, but the PC affidavit does not).

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