A man from California – or somewhere else (it’s hard to say at this point) – is in a whole heap of trouble.
He was arrested last week at a Tacoma casino carrying three ID cards with two different names on them and 39 credit cards, all of which authorities said were forged.
Pierce County prosecutors charged him Monday with three counts of unlawful possession of fictitious identification and 10 counts of forgery. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered jailed in lieu of $300,000 bail.
Further charges might come, prosecutors said, when they figure out the man’s true name and the full parameters of his alleged crimes.
The case began Friday at the Emerald Queen Casino. Puyallup Tribal Police officers were called there after receiving reports that a man was trying to withdrawal $2,000 in cash using a credit card. A cashier helping him grew suspicious and asked for help, court records show.
When officers arrived, he presented a California ID card bearing the name Walter Anthony Daniels, records show. However, he used an Arizona ID card bearing the name Earl E. Jones while trying to withdraw the cash.
“Given the two identifications, the defendant was placed under arrest for possession of a false identification,” prosecutors wrote in charging documents.
Police then searched the man, finding another ID card, $7,400 in cash and 39 credit cards.
They then called in a Pierce County sheriff’s detective, who in turn called U.S. Secret Service agents. The Secret Service agents determined the credit cards were forged, records show.
“The names printed on the bank cards did not match the names and banks encoded on the magnetic strips of the credit cards,” prosecutors wrote.
For the record, they went with Walter Anthony Daniels in charging him.
The man told authorities he drove from California with two other men and three women and stopped at numerous casinos along the way to withdraw cash. He allegedly told authorities he found the cards in a jacket.
“The defendant was uncooperative and evasive,” prosecutors wrote.
He also was covered in gang tattoos.
“Once the actual victims and accounts are identified, the state will likely amend charges to include identity theft and theft in varying degrees, along with appropriate aggravating circumstances,” prosecutors wrote.
“The United States Attorney’s Office is also evaluating this case for possible federal charges given the amount of forged credit cards.”
Adam Lynn: 253-597-8644adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.