BUCKHANNON – A Virginia woman was arrested last week after allegedly taking another person’s checkbook, writing checks for more than $3,000 and then depositing the money into her own account at a Buckhannon bank.

Jessica Tinnell, 34, of Arlington, Va., was arrested Wednesday, March 3, on four separate counts of forgery or uttering, a felony.

According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office filed by investigating officer Sgt. Mark Stewart with the Buckhannon Police Department, on March 1, Tinnell allegedly wrote a check from an account at DuPont Credit Union belonging to Pedro Sisimit. Tinnell allegedly signed the victim’s name to the check and deposited it into her checking account at First Community Bank in Buckhannon. The check amount was for $996.50.

Also, on Monday, March 1, Tinnell allegedly wrote a check from an account at Wells Fargo Bank belonging to the same individual, signed the victim’s name to the check and deposited it to her checking account at First Community Bank. This time, the check amount was for $475.

The file also says that just a few days prior, Tinnell allegedly wrote a check from an account at DuPont Credit Union belonging to the same victim. Tinnell allegedly signed the victim’s name to the check and deposited it to her checking account at First Community Bank, with the check amount being $1,250. Also, on Feb. 26, Tinnell allegedly wrote a check from an account at Wells Fargo Bank belonging to the same person, signed the victim’s name to the check and deposited it to her checking account at First Community Bank. The check amount was for $350.

On each occasion, Tinnell allegedly had possession of the victim’s checkbook or checkbooks, did not have permission to use it and was not on the account as an authorized user, the police report says. According to the amounts provided in the criminal complaints, the total amount deposited was $3,071.50.

Bail was set at $20,000. 

The penalty for a conviction of forgery or uttering is confinement in the state penitentiary for not less than one nor more than 10 years, or in the discretion of the court, confinement in jail for not more than one year and a fine not exceeding $500.