Published: August 05, 2008 11:21 pm      

Guilty plea heard in alleged hot check operation

A woman from Sulphur Springs, one of three people arrested in Commerce last month in connection with an alleged hot check-writing scheme, has pleaded guilty.

Monique Shunta Roland, 23, was placed on probation and fined Tuesday after pleading guilty to a forgery count. Roland and the two other suspects were originally charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and forgery.

During a hearing in the 354th District Court, Roland waived indictment and entered the guilty plea to one count of forgery by passing and was placed on four years deferred adjudication probation with a $600 fine and theft terms.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Commerce Police Department, Roland attempted to pass a forged check at a Commerce tobacco store on the afternoon of July 16. The owner of the business was able to determine the check was invalid and, after making a copy of Roland’s driver’s license, contacted the police department and provided a description of the vehicle in which Roland left.

Officers pulled the vehicle over and found it occupied by four people, including Roland. Also inside were several counterfeit checks and money believed to have been obtained by the cashing of a check in Sulphur Springs.