Austin police recover 10,000 stolen checks in organized crime case

Austin police have recovered tens of thousands of items — including checks, credit cards, ID cards, firearms, counterfeit keys, drugs, bicycles and a motorcycle — believed to be connected to an organized crime ring in North Austin, officials announced Tuesday.

The Austin Police Department said eight people have been arrested and more arrests and charges are expected as the investigation continues.

Police were tipped off to the case when officers responded to an Austin jewelry store on May 15 after two people attempted to use a stolen bank card to make a purchase, investigators said. Evidence in that case led detectives to look deeper into what they described as a more sophisticated criminal enterprise.

“As we started pulling on that thread, we realized this wasn’t just one fraud case, but rather it was an organized group involved in a wide range of criminal activity,” Detective Shawn Green said at a Tuesday news conference. “As we dug deeper, we found the group was stealing mail to get checks, bank cards and people’s personal identification. They were then using information to commit identity theft and financial crimes.”

According to Green, investigators determined the group was producing counterfeit U.S. Postal Service “Arrow Keys,” which are master keys used by postal carriers to access community mailboxes. Police said the counterfeit keys allowed the suspects to steal mail from secure mailboxes throughout the region.

Early in the investigation, detectives learned the suspects had used a stolen identity to lease an apartment in North Austin. On May 25, officers stopped a vehicle leaving the apartment after the driver tried to use a stolen bank card at an ATM. Police arrested 44-year-old Matthew Smart — who they said was involved in the May 15 jewelry store incident — and charged him with credit card abuse. Police also arrested the passenger, 26-year-old Jennifer Craig, on drug charges after reportedly finding narcotics in the vehicle. Investigators said they also recovered evidence tied to mail theft, identity fraud and drug trafficking in the vehicle, as well as additional evidence during a search of the apartment.

Less than two weeks later, on June 8, police received a tip that the group was still living at the fraudulently rented apartment and charged 49-year-old Matthew Herrington with fraudulent use or possession of identifying information. Officers seized more evidence while arresting Herrington and during another search of the apartment, police said.

On June 10, officers recovered a firearm and additional evidence from a Round Rock storage unit that had been rented using another stolen identity, police said. Officers also searched two other units.

Five days later, officers arrested 37-year-old Bryttni Williford, who police identified as a known associate of the group, on multiple active warrants.

In July, investigators conducted surveillance on another apartment connected to the group and arrested Herrington on additional charges, as well as 48-year-old Jennifer Jeansonne, 32-year-old Michael Dodd, 40-year-old Nicole Patrick and 52-year-old John Waring.

Police recovered a large amount of evidence throughout the investigation, including:

• 17 counterfeit “arrow keys”
• 700 pieces of stolen mail from 250 addresses
• 10,000 business and personal checks
• 115 stolen bank cards
• 50 stolen identification cards
• 1,000 additional pieces of “personal identifying information”
• 1.4 pounds of suspected meth and/or fentanyl
• 9 firearms
• A 1947 British Army motorcycle
• A 1959 Cushman Eagle motor scooter
• An enclosed trailer
• Laptops, printers and other equipment used in suspected fraud and counterfeiting
• Vehicle keys, burglary tools, copper, brass, conduit, collectibles and other stolen belongings

Police said they returned the motorcycle, motor scooter and enclosed trailer to the owner. Police said they also recovered additional stolen items including vehicle keys, copper, brass, conduit, bicycles and collectibles, as well as laptops, printers and other equipment used in suspected fraud and counterfeiting. 

The suspects each face multiple charges, including drug-related offenses, mail theft, evading arrest, credit card abuse and tampering with evidence.

Anyone who believes they may be the owner of property recovered in the investigation is encouraged to contact the Austin Police Department’s North Metro Tactical Unit at APDNorthMetroTac@austintexas.gov.