Two Men Arrested After Attempt to Cash Fraudulent Checks in Otter Tail

Two men arrested in Otter Tail County on November 18 face felony charges after bank employees detected signs of fraud on checks worth thousands of dollars, according to sheriff’s office records and court filings. The men, identified in records as 62 year old Keith King of St. Cloud and 51 year old Daryl Jungroth of Elk River, appeared in county court on November 20 to face charges of offering forged checks.

Police reports summarized by reporters say both men presented checks they claimed had been issued by an employer, but neither could provide the employer’s full name when questioned. Bank staff at locations in Pelican Rapids and Fergus Falls noted specific problems with the documents, including altered writing and what appeared to be a photocopied signature. Staff contacted law enforcement after the irregularities were discovered, and deputies responded to both banks.

The records describe a similar sequence of events at each bank. Employees became suspicious of the check appearance and verification details, placed a hold on the transactions and alerted deputies. Investigators examined the checks and collected statements. The amounts on the checks were described in court summaries as being in the thousands of dollars, although exact figures were not released in the summaries shared with reporters. Following the arrests, both men were processed and brought before a judge on November 20.

Prosecutors have lodged felony charges of offering forged checks, a serious crime that carries significant penalties under Minnesota law. The filings on record do not identify a named employer or confirm the origin of the checks, and the investigation remains active as deputies continue to follow leads provided in the bank reports and court documents.

For residents of Otter Tail County the incident is a reminder of the importance of vigilance by both financial institutions and individuals. Local bank staff identified the suspicious features that prevented fraudulent cashing and kept potentially fraudulent funds from being paid out. Such interventions protect not only bank assets but also customer accounts that could otherwise be exposed to loss or identity theft.

Law enforcement encourages anyone who receives or is asked to cash a questionable payment to seek verification from the issuing organization and to notify bank employees and police if a document looks altered or signatures appear copied. The county will continue to monitor the case as it moves through the court system and report further developments as they become available.