Duped into cashing more than $22,000 worth of bogus checks at local banks, four down-on-their-luck Casper men now face felony fraud-by-check charges.
Meanwhile, the Casper Police Department is on the trail of the people who are apparently targeting the city’s homeless community with promises of jobs and cash, then leaving the men facing serious criminal charges.
Ramon Wise, Christian Cheatham, Charles Miears and William Harrison have had preliminary hearings in Natrona County Circuit Court this week, each accused of passing a bogus check for the same amount — $5,339.10 — drawn on the account of a local business.
They all tell similar stories of being approached by a Black couple in a white Bronco on Feb. 9. They were then promised jobs with the reassurance that the jobs were “legitimate,” according to the Casper Police Department and affidavits filed in the men’s court cases.
“Each of the four individuals reported being approached by an African American couple driving a white Ford Bronco, believed to have out-of-state license plates,” CPD spokesperson Rebekah Ladd said in a statement to Cowboy State Daily.
While it’s unfortunate that people would take advantage of others who are in desperate situations, it doesn’t excuse the fact that the men allegedly cashed fraudulent checks at Casper area banks, she said.
“This type of fraud scheme often relies on recruiting unhoused individuals to present fraudulent checks in person,” Ladd said. “Regardless of recruitment circumstances, presenting a fraudulent check constitutes a criminal offense under Wyoming law.”
‘It’s Legit’
While all the men charged in Natrona County Circuit Court gave similar statements about being approached by the couple in the white Bronco, they also were told different stories by the couple, according to the affidavits.
Harrison told investigators that he felt uneasy about cashing the check but was convinced it was on the up-and-up.
“Harrison was asked if he would be willing to help them cash a check at the bank,” his affidavit says. “Harrison was hesitant until they told him, ‘It’s legit.’”
He then agreed and gave them his Wyoming ID, which the couple used to fill out his information on a check. The couple then dropped him off at a Casper bank branch.
“Harrison took the check inside and cashed it for $5,339.10,” the affidavit says. “Harrison said he never received any money from the couple and was later dropped off.”
Cheatham’s story was similar, but in his case the couple told him they were victims of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid, according to his affidavit.
“The couple stated they were looking for help because all of their workers had been picked up by ICE,” the document continues. “The couple then told him he would be added to their payroll and asked for his Wyoming state ID.”
Cheatham was given multiple checks and dropped off at multiple bank branches to cash them. He gave the money to the couple, who promised a percentage in return.
While he describes multiple incidents, he’s charged with one fraud-by-check claim for a check in the exact amount of the others.
Wise was a little more creative, telling investigators he had a stroke of amazing luck, finding a check that was already made out to him, according to his affidavit.
“Wise substantially stated that he found the check on the ground with his name conveniently written on it,” the document says. “Wise took the check to … First Interstate Bank. Wise cashed the check for $5,339.10.”
Wise also was charged with possession of a controlled substance for a glass pipe he had on him at the time of his arrest. A “white crystalline residue” in the pipe presumptively tested positive for meth, the affidavit says.
‘That Could Never Happen To Me’
All of the cases “stem from the same suspected scheme,” Ladd said, adding that the checks appeared legitimate. It wasn’t until they were examined later by the banks that they were discovered to be fraudulent.
“The checks in question were printed on legitimate check stock and were made to closely resemble checks from established Casper-based businesses and financial institutions,” she said. “While they appeared authentic at first glance, discrepancies were identified indicating they were fraudulent reproductions.”
She also said that police are following leads about the couple in the white Bronco.
“Officers have information regarding the persons of interest in this case and are working to identify them,” Ladd said.
“Based on investigative findings, multiple financial institutions may have been targeted on Feb. 9, 2026,” she added. “We encourage any financial institutions or businesses that identify suspicious transactions consistent with this activity to contact the Casper Police Department.”
On a human level, targeting homeless people because they’re desperate is a sad reality, said Dennis McConnell with the Wyoming Rescue Mission in Casper.
While many people can look at the recent check fraud scheme and wonder how these men could be convinced, they weren’t breaking the law, McConnell said. People without homes in seemingly hopeless situations can have clouded judgment.
“Unfortunately, that’s why a lot of them end up at the mission in the first place,” he told Cowboy State Daily. “These are people who come through our doors facing many challenges.
“And there are a lot of people out there who will take advantage of that. Then they fall victim to scams and they lose everything — their housing, their resources, and even their freedom. Then they ultimately end up with us.”
He said the Feb. 9 incidents are examples of “taking advantage of people when they’re at their weakest. There are piranhas out there who will take advantage.”
“There are so many people who think, ‘That could never happen to me. How could they be so stupid to fall for this?’” McConnell said. “When you’re in the place they are, you’re vulnerable.”
Each of the four men could get up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both if convicted.
Greg Johnson can be reached at greg@cowboystatedaily.com.
