MOHAVE VALLEY – A half-dozen Mohave Valley residents are in custody and charged after a two- month-long scam investigation by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
“The investigation began when deputies were made aware of fraudulent credit card charges via online purchases at a local retail business,” said agency spokeswoman Anita Mortensen. She said officers executed a May 25 search of two homes in the 600 block of E Border Ln. in Mohave Valley.
“The search warrant resulted in the discovery of a large amount of evidence of the suspected fraud,” Mortensen said. “Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia were also located.”
The suspects are identified as Sheri Price, 49, Richard Durnil, 50, Thomas Hurtado, 48, Brooke Sheldon, 24, Tristin Smith-Mejia, 40, and Matthew Kough, 37.
Each face conspiracy, participating in a criminal syndicate, fraud, forgery and other charges. Durnil is additionally charged with drug offenses.
Mortensen said no other suspects are outstanding at this time, but that the investigation continues.