Editor’s note: These people have been charged with a crime in Racine County. A defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty and convicted.
Mount Pleasant man charged with food stamp fraud
A 42-year-old Mount Pleasant man faces four felony charges of unauthorized use of food stamps, a felony charge of personal ID theft, and a misdemeanor count of concealing stolen property after his arrest in February.
The four food stamp-related charges filed against Scott D. Underwood each carry a possible fine of $10,000 and three years, six months in prison. The ID theft charge carries a fine of $10,000 and six years in prison, while the misdemeanor charge could bring a fine of $10,000 and nine months in jail.
Underwood, free on a $1,000 signature bond, will be back in Racine County Circuit Court at 9 a.m. May 3 for a preliminary hearing.
According to the criminal complaint:
An officer met with a woman, who stated her QUEST food card and pre-paid Visa cards had been taken and used without her consent. An investigation revealed the cards’ personal identification numbers (PINs) had been changed; the woman said she had not changed the PINs. Further investigation showed several transactions in Racine, Sturtevant, and Kenosha.
Video security tape at two of the businesses showed a man police identified as Underwood using the card. A third video showed a male and female using the card. Police stated they believed the defendant the victim’s Social Security Number to change her PIN on both cards.
Fight investigation leads to arrest of Racine man on drug and firearms charges
An investigation into a possible fight in Racine on Thursday led to four criminal charges against a 40-year-old Racine man.
Michael D. Thurman is charged with a felony count of possession of a firearm, a felony charge of possession of marijuana, and misdemeanor counts of obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct.
The firearm charge carries a fine of $25,000 and 10 years in prison, while the marijuana charge carries a fine of $10,000 and three years, six months in prison. The defendant faces a $10,000 fine and nine months in jail for the obstructing charge and a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail for disorderly conduct.
Thurman is charged as a repeat offender, which could increase the prison time by four years for the felonies and two years for the misdemeanors.
According to the criminal complaint:
Racine police were dispatched to a man with a gun/fight call in the 1000 block of Lockwood Drive and observed the defendant and another man leaving the scene. As police attempted to question Thurman, he fled before he was detained with a taser.
A search of the defendant revealed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, along with 2.3 grams of marijuana.
Thurman will be back in Racine County Circuit Court at 9 a.m. April 25 for a preliminary hearing.