Bluffton police report the recent conviction of Andrew Reese stemming from a 2008 indictment. Police investigated a series of bad check complaints at several Bluffton businesses. The investigation revealed that someone was fabricating the checks and the presenting them as payroll checks, according to Rick Skilliter, Bluffton police chief.
A March 19, 2008, traffic stop by local police led them to closely investigate Reese's involvement in the check writing scheme. Police originally sought an indictment in 2008, but Reese left the state before the indictment could be served.
Upon Reese's return to Ohio, he was served with the six-count indictment for forgery and uttering. He originally plead not guilty to the indictment.
On March 19, 2010, Reese pled guilty to three forgery charges as part of a negotiated plea arrangement. Each forgery charge is a felony of the fifth degree.
Judge Richard K. Warren sentenced Reese to three years community control, required him to seek stable employment, ordered him to pay restitution to Fresh Encounters in the amount of $328.73, and required him to obtain his GED.
