Police: Man arrested for fraudulent schemes causes First Community Bank to lose more than $2,000

Sarah Goodrich
March 20, 2019

BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man is facing a felony charge for fraudulent schemes after his actions allegedly caused a local bank to lose thousands of dollars.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office, Keythan E. Heater, 26, had established a business account in the name of Keylias Fintech Solutions at First Community Bank in Buckhannon.

On separate occasions, Heater entered the bank in person and deposited seven checks into his bank account that were fraudulent, the report says.

The funds were deposited into the account; however, when First Community Bank sent the checks off, there was no record that the account could be found, the police report states.

Heater is seen on security video each time depositing each check.

The complaint reports that with the seven checks and the return fees, First Community Bank lost $2,121.69 to Heater.

Heater’s bail has been set at $10,000.

In other non-related criminal news, Michelle L. King, of Weston, is facing several drug-related charges after being caught in possession of morphine and methamphetamine.

King, 53, is facing charges for a second offense DUI-controlled substance; possession of morphine; driving while license revoked for DUI; and possession of methamphetamine.

According to the criminal complaint issued by Tyler Gordon with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, on March 18, Gordon observed a dark-colored Sedan traveling west on Hackers Creek Road. The suspect vehicle was slightly across the center double line with its high beam headlight on as it met Gordon traveling the opposite direction.

Gordon turned around to follow the vehicle.

Upon catching up with the vehicle, the officer noticed the vehicle was very erratic in the movement and speed of the vehicle.

In the complaint, Gordon was advised by the E911 Communication Center that the registration plate displayed on a Suzuki Forenza should have appeared on a Ford Escort. Gordon observed the vehicle cross the center double line and touch the white fog line multiple times before initiating a traffic stop.

Upon activating the emergency blue lights on the patrol vehicle, the suspect vehicle abruptly came to a stop in the roadway.

After advising the vehicle to pull into a large wide spot, Gordon identified the driver as King.

The criminal complaint notes that Gordon has dealt with King on multiple occasions and that he had prior knowledge that King’s driver’s license is revoked for a controlled substance DUI on May 9, 2018, with an effective revocation date of June 29, 2018.

King advised that she “might” have a methamphetamine smoking device under her seat, reads the complaint.

Gordon removed all occupants from the vehicle and discovered several pieces of drug paraphernalia under the driver’s seat.

Upon a probable cause search of the remainder of the vehicle, Gordon located several used bags containing methamphetamine residue.

King stated she had smoked meth within two to three hours prior to the traffic stop and smoked marijuana within the previous hour, reports the complaint.

The officer administered three standard field sobriety tests, in which King allegedly showed multiple signs of impairment. Gordon asked King to close her eyes and estimate 30 seconds in her mind. King performed this test twice, with the first result being under three seconds and the second result being approximately eight seconds, the file states.

Gordon placed King under arrest for DUI-controlled substance, second offense, and driving with a license revoked for DUI, first offense.

King was transported to the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office and then to WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital for a blood draw.

Gordon asked King if there were any drugs on her, and she located a container with a plastic bag of methamphetamine and a plastic bag with a morphine pill in it, states the complaint.