On a Wednesday afternoon, officers were called to a Tampa area bank after a woman attempted to cash a fraudulent check, the fourth identical attempt at four different branches that same day, totaling over $15,000. What followed was a methodical interview that dismantled four versions of the same story before the truth finally emerged. >> No, no, you're not. >> Hello. How are you? >> Hi. What's going on? >> Um, I was brought this check and then I don't know what's going on. I don't know. I just came here just to cash it. So, I'm not really understanding what's really >> Now, you told me that you met somebody to pick up this check. >> No, I had somebody go and pick it up and go and get the check. I don't know. You know what's going on in >> Okay. She has taken this check to several of our other branches and gotten cash for this check. >> And so, we were notified that she was going in the area cashing this check. So, when she came in, we called you guys cuz the bank advised us to call you guys that she's gotten money for this check several times already. >> I'll talk to you out here real quick. You're detained right now, so you can't leave. You understand? >> I'll talk to you out here. >> Okay. Yeah. >> I have another officer here, too. So, he'll >> he'll be coming in here. >> All right. >> Um he'll he'll stand with her for a moment. >> Okay. >> Hey, bud. >> You just hang out with her for a second. I'm going to talk to her. >> Okay. Now we can talk. >> I had just went and picked up a check and I didn't know if like the check is bad or anything. I didn't know. You get what I'm saying? I didn't know. Like I work and stuff. So I didn't know, you know, I don't know what's going on. So >> okay, I >> never been in trouble before. I never >> been in jail. She [snorts] came and open an account with us probably about a month or so ago. And then we actually just got an email because when people go around cashing checks, the bank sends out emails. >> So we get an email about be on the lookout for her because she just went to a branch and cash this check against the account >> and got it. >> The same exact c the same exact check or is this a different number? >> Yeah. They haven't been able to email me anything yet. So literally my team told me she was here and I got on the phone with you guys. >> So I know she's gotten cash for checks of this same amount at three other branches so far today. I can collect all the information and give that to you. >> And have those checks bounced or >> not yet, but one of the branches that she went to, they called Bank United and confirmed that that's not a legitimate check or account. >> Okay. >> So, we were advised to call you guys. >> Okay. >> Cuz we haven't cashed it yet, obviously. But, >> Right. >> And what she say? So what she just told me was that she a good friend of hers told her about a job >> and that she got this job with this company hadn't worked there for 30 days and I said so how did you apply for this job? Well my friend told me about it and I was like right your friend told you about it but you still have to apply and get the job. So how did you do that? Then she starts talking to me about a food place across the street that she wants to go to. So I'm like just buying time while you guys get here basically. >> Okay. >> I do. I can give it to you. >> Is it in the office? >> It's in there. Yeah, I went through. Yeah. >> And I was at the bank and I was trying to cash a check and I guess I don't know. She was saying that other banks came and notified her that I came and cash checks and they called the police. I mean, >> I don't know. >> And she's tried to cash a check like this. >> Yes. >> At how many other ones? >> I believe it was Silus. Do you have the email up to see? Cuz I know she was at McDill. I know she was at Rivergate. And I know she went to Bair because Belair is who emailed us. >> Yeah. I I didn't see the >> McDell Bair and which other one? >> Rivergate. >> Rivergate. Can you get a like a I don't know picture of those other ones. >> See if it's like the same check also. >> Yep. >> If they just made the same one over and over again. I'll go talk to her. >> Okay. Can we pull her out of there so I can um Yeah, that's fine. I can >> Oh, okay. Good. That's fine. Which one do you want me to use? >> Okay. You bring her in here. The allegation against you is that this is a fraudulent check. >> Hold on. Hold on. And that you've been cashing fraudulent checks uh [snorts] around town. So, I like to start off any kind of interview or anything like that with just letting you know that I'm not going to ploy to try and trick you or anything like that. I'm going to be honest with you about everything. And that means you need to be honest with me about everything, right? Uh cuz right now it's not looking very good for you. Um so I think telling the truth on everything would be a good start. Um cuz right now seems like you haven't been truthful with the banks. Okay. Um, your first name's Asia, >> last name Ballinger. >> He has your information, so I don't need to get that again. Why don't you tell me what's going on? >> Um, I was I went and picked up those checks and I was told that I was able to go and deposit them. Well, not deposit them, but go get money for them. That was all that I was told. Um, I don't know the person who went and got the checks. I just know that they told them, "Hey, um, she can go and get money out of those, you know, out of her account cuz I do have money inside of my account. I've never been in trouble before. Um, I've never had any problems with the law. I want any problems with the law." >> Um, >> so do you, when you're saying this out loud, does this make sense to you? when you're saying you're telling me >> that >> you're take you've taken three different checks. >> Now, this one being the fourth >> of a sum $3,785 >> that were just handed to you >> by a person you don't know, >> right? >> And I should have >> Well, I mean, who is the person that gave you the checks? >> I don't even know who they are. >> Well, where did you get the checks from? >> I don't know where they got the checks from. Where did you get the checks from? >> Oh, I met up with a person. And >> who is that person? >> I don't know. They just said their name was Joe. >> Joe. So, just a person named Joe. >> Mhm. >> Gave you four checks. Were they all for $3,785? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. They were all for $3,785. >> And what did Joe tell you to do with the checks? They just told me to like go to banks and cash them out and get money. And I was just like, well, I've never like done nothing like that before, you know, like I made I I work >> Okay. How did you get into contact with Joe? >> Um through a third party. So >> who is the third party? >> Just [snorts] some girl who I had met like at a club. Um >> what club? >> At Turbo. It's probably closed down now. >> Where's Turbo at? >> Over there like kind of like over there by the Waw Was on 54th. Like it used to be called Turbo Lounge or something like that. >> How long ago was that? >> This was probably like a couple weeks ago. >> Why would it be closed down by now? >> I don't know. I don't think nobody really go there no more. I don't really see the same like the city talk about it. I don't know like if they close it down due to >> Who is the girl you met? >> Just some She didn't even give me her. She said her name was Britney. She said >> her name was what? >> Britney. >> Britney. >> Mhm. She said her name was Britney. She was just like um cuz she was like I just met her on some drunk night and she was just like hey she was like is your name Asian? I was like yeah what's up? And she was like um she was like well I know this guy and um he was like saying that he can get you some money. And I was like well I was like I don't need any money. you know, I'm pretty I'm decent with this Bell. This is what she did at Rivergate. I'm waiting on the field. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> So, um I was just like, you know, well, I'm pretty good on that. And she was like, well, no, girl. She was just like, you know, I think, you know, you should go and do something with them. And I was like, well, I don't really do people like that, so I'm not really sure. Mhm. >> So, um that was when um she was just like, "Well, he does like I guess she didn't really say he do like bank fraud, but she was just like he just help people get money." And you know, I had just had surgery on my cyst and stuff like that. So, you know, I hadn't worked in probably like a couple months. I was doing Uber Eats and stuff. Um, I've had two car accidents, you know, where somebody has hit me and stuff like that. And I was like, you know, I really needed, you know, some money, you know, cuz it's been kind of hard not working, not having no money and stuff like that. And, um, so, you know, I took her for her word for it, you know. Um, and I thought that, you know, she was somebody who I could trust even though I was drunk and I shouldn't trust somebody who just met. And so, um, I didn't go and meet with him to get the check. Somebody else had did. And, um, they had just dropped them off. And, um, that was when I just went. >> Dropped them off where? >> Um, just at a like a really they didn't tell me where. I don't know where they dropped them off at. They just dropped them off and they just told me to come there where there's like no cameras or anything like that. So, >> where did you get the checks? >> I went like, see, I'm not really good with like locations and stuff like that. I just went and picked them up just at a random place. Like, they left them by like a dumpster. >> So, I had went and just went >> dumpster where >> I want to say I don't really I'm not really good with like streets and stuff like that. Like, I'm really scared. Like, I don't I ain't trying to go to jail. I'm not trying to. >> So, let me let me run things back by you. >> It's not looking good. >> I understand. >> No, it's it's not looking good. And >> I've been in trouble before. >> Hold on. Let me Let me finish. It's not looking good cuz right now I don't really believe anything you're saying. Uh you're saying that here's two copies of ones from other banks. There's this one here. You went to this is now the fourth bank to cash checks >> worth a lot of money. $3,785. That's a good amount of money, especially if it's over $10,000. So, you went to cash these checks uh that were given to you. At first, you said by Joe. You don't know who Joe is. >> Okay. But they were given to you. I would give you >> Let me Let me just finish cuz I'm kind of just painting a picture for you on what you're telling me on the lies you're telling me right now. You're saying that Joe gave you the checks in the very beginning. You don't know who Joe is. Okay. You met Joe through a third party, which is a girl at a club called Turbo, which you're assuming is closed now. >> For some reason, you're assuming that. And her name was Britney. Okay. Uh, and then now you're saying that actually somebody else got the checks from Joe and just left them by a dumpster that you just magically don't remember where the dumpster is. >> Well, I'm I'm really not good with like streaming. >> How about How about your phone? Do you have any information? Show it to me while you're doing it. Do you have any information? Text messages from this Joe. text messages from this girl Britney? Anything? >> No, I don't have no messages. >> You don't have anything? A location? >> No. >> So, how did you have contact with these people? >> I never really spoke to these people. >> Then, how did you know where the checks were? >> Because they told Britney and Britney was the one who was like, "Me and Britney never talked on the phone. I always just met up with her." >> How did you know where the checks were? >> Because she told me where they were. while you were drunk at the club. >> Yes. >> So, just a couple weeks ago, >> right? >> You're like, "Oh, hey, by the way, there's some checks by a dumpster." >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Under Florida Statute 831.02, uttering forged instruments requires three elements. A forged document presented as genuine with intent to defraud. The first two are not in dispute. Everything hinges on the third intent. Did she know? The subject claims she had no idea the checks were fraudulent. It is a legally significant claim, but four identical checks totaling $15,000 handed over by a stranger with no explanation makes that argument difficult to sustain. Presenting hard evidence is not deception, and courts treat it differently. Each inconsistency in her story, from Joe to Britney to the dumpster, compounds the evidentiary case against her and signals what courts call consciousness of guilt. Uh, let's restart this whole interview here. Let's just restart because right now you are giving me the most amount of BS and I'm trying to be as forthcoming and kind with you because right now this is probably one of the worst stories I've ever heard. Okay, >> do you understand? Like let's restart. All right. And let's now tell the truth because I think telling the truth will go a long way when it's on paper and on video. It's a It's not It's not adding up. And you know, it's not adding up. All right. I mean, it was a valiant attempt at trying to tell me some story about Joe and Britney and stuff like that. And it's not my first rodeo. Okay. So, let's start with did you know those are fraudulent? No. >> Come on. >> Now that No, honestly, >> there's four checks for $3,785. >> They look They looked it real to me. I mean, I see people with checks like that all the time. >> So, I really thought that they were real. Like, if I'm being honest now that I I get >> $3,785 and you got four of them, >> right? Even if your best friend came up to you and said, "Hey, look at these checks. Look, they're 3,8575 37 $3,785. You know what? I'm just going to make them out to you. Go cash the checks for me and get me the cash." >> That don't make sense then. >> Get me the cash. That don't make sense. >> And now you're saying Joe and Britney and >> No, but then that's not making sense cuz then like I'm kind of like are they real? >> Not to mention, you know, the bank manager told me that you were telling her it was about some job. >> Come on. You are literally digging yourself a bigger hole right now than just being honest with me. Is the person out there in the car waiting for you? >> Who's out there waiting for you? >> I mean, look on your face and saying it all right now. >> That's That's the dude. >> Who's the dude? >> I don't know his real name, but he go by Dread. I don't know his his real go name. That's the honest truth. I don't know his name. >> Who is Dre? >> Dread. Just D E R E A D. >> Dread. Like Mhm. I don't know his real government. >> Hey, John. >> Yeah. >> Is that car still out there? >> No, it left. >> Okay. >> Is that >> It left you. >> Okay. >> Was it a white expedition? >> The Expedition out there. Which one? Which one was it? There's a couple. >> Great Kia. >> Great Kia. >> Great. >> Can you go check uh >> Yeah, we'll go >> SUV or >> Is it a Is it a car or an SUV? >> It's a car. >> It's a car. What kind of car? It's the Kiaforte. >> KiaForte. >> Okay. Here's the third check. Stay off your phone for me. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Um, now now we're getting a little bit more truthful. Who's Dread? >> Don't know him. Don't know his real name. Um, I honestly don't really know his real name. Um, it's just somebody who I met through um a person. And >> who's the person? >> My friend. >> Who's your friend? >> My friend Aaliyah. >> How you spell Aaliyah? >> A A L I >> A L I. I think she was like Aaliyah like how the singer Aaliyah I think that's a Y a >> Yeah, I think it's something like that. >> So A a L Y Ah >> Mhm. >> Okay. So you met Dread through Aaliyah. >> Mhm. >> And continue. >> Um >> stop giving me the I met them through this like a person. Right. So, I met I met him I met him through Aaliyah. Um I don't know how she met him in Canada. I'm not really sure. Um I just met him through her and um I was told to open up um an account. >> Mhm. Which you opened on what? July 31st. Something like that. July 3rd. July 3rd or July 31st. >> July 3rd. >> And um I had put money on my account, which there there's money on there. >> Um, and that was really it. I mean, um, >> there was money put on the account. >> Money put on the account. Um, that's not really it cuz now we have four four checks. >> As far as like where he got the checks from, I don't know. I don't know nothing about where he got the checks from. And what did he say to you? What did Dread say to you? >> He just told me, "Hey, you know, um, we're going to go to some banks and I need you to cash these checks and get money." That was it. Um, he didn't say what it was for. >> You weren't like, "Why?" >> I did ask him. He said that it was for like his daughter or whatever the case may be. Um, he does have a child. Um. >> Mhm. >> I'm not really sure like as far as like where he >> No. Okay. Can you see if they have video cameras >> for me? Thank you. >> Um as far as like where he's gotten the checks from now that I don't >> um I don't write checks. I don't know nothing about no checks. I don't know how they get them or anything like that. >> You know how to get them cuz there's four right here. No, but I'm saying I don't know. But he gave them to me. I don't know like who he went to to go and get them. >> I don't know. >> Uh yeah, if you can you can just take one of them with you. >> No, I'm not. >> Yeah, obviously. I'll go talk to >> Thank you. >> Oh, okay. I don't want the door really closed. Yeah. >> Okay. Well, >> now that's the truth. I I don't know Dread's real government name. >> Um the >> Hey, leave this open just a little bit. Okay. >> He never told me his real name. >> Um >> so a guy named Dread, >> correct? >> That you met through Aaliyah? >> Yes. >> Gave you over what? 134,000. >> Mhm. like, "Hey, cash use checks for me." And you thought that was a good idea. And there wasn't anything suspicious about that coming from a cast remodeling. Who's cast remodeling? >> See, I didn't even look at them. >> Do you not know how checks work? >> No. Cuz see, I never I never wrote out a check before. I don't ride around. I have a bank through Growth Financial, so I don't do check >> for severance payment. >> No. I never knew what that is. >> Is that not your handwriting? >> No. >> Whose handwriting is that? >> I don't know. He when he brought them, they were already >> What does Dread look like? >> Um, he has dreads. He looked kind of young. Maybe probably about 23, 22, I would say. Um, he got like tattoos. Um, >> what kind of tattoos? >> I don't know. He got them like on his arm. Which arm? >> I would say maybe like his right. I don't know if he got any on his left arm. And he never really looked. >> Are you asking me or you telling? >> No, I'm saying I don't know if he had he might have some. Most guys do have tattoos. >> So you don't know if he has >> I don't know if he has tattoo on his left arm. I know he has tatto. >> What are the tattoos of? >> Tattoo. >> Okay. Any other kind of tattoos? >> How tall is he? I would say probably about 56, 57. >> Okay. Uh, how much does he weigh? >> He kind of slims. So, I would say maybe like maybe 160, maybe 180. Guys are a little bit >> he has a little bit more muscles. So, >> I don't know like his exact weight, but if I'm guessing it would be like >> How did you >> get in contact with Dread today? >> Um, he >> Do you have his phone number? >> I do. >> Okay. Let me see what you're doing on your phone while you're doing it. Just Yep. Do you mind if I take a look? Go ahead. >> Thank you. >> Are you in a relationship with this person? >> No. No. I have a boyfriend. [snorts] >> Oh, Leah's calling. >> I'll leave it. >> You guys aren't in any kind of like relationship or sexual relationship. >> No. Hell no. Got my own boyfriend. >> I mean, I don't care either way. >> No, I'm just being honest with you. Like, no, that ain't my man. We done nothing sexual going on. >> Nothing like that. No, that's my friend Aaliyah's peoples. I don't >> know him from Adam and Eve. So, she knows [snorts] him better than I do. I don't really know him like that. So, >> you're not texting on your watch, are you? >> No. >> Okay. So you can see there's no type of relationship, but so let's just assume that you're telling me halfway the truth that you don't want. Let me just finish. >> Okay. I don't think you're no mastermind behind all of these checks, but come on. I mean, I know dang for sure that you know these checks aren't real. So, why don't we you give me everything on these other people? >> I I don't know the people. >> Well, that's the problem. I mean, you've been texting this dude for a while now. I mean, come on. This is I'm already I'm I'm at July 11th. >> I'm still going. You know, they go, "This is going good. Okay, I'm going to come out. I mean, blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah." I mean, now you guys just talking talking then still talking about, you know, money and checks and yada yada yada. I mean, clearly it's this isn't is an ongoing thing. I mean, come on. Any sane person, any normal person ain't going to look at this and be like, "Oh, yeah, she didn't know." You know, and I think now that you're thinking about it, you're like, "Dang, you know, he right." like no sane no sane p person is going to be like you know I put you in front of like a jury saying that this is all just like >> I mean they're going to be like dang 15 grand and she don't know the person and they're just telling >> well saying you might not really know him like that right okay but >> ain't no person taking $15,000 from a person they don't know and then going around depositing checks >> okay so why don't you start telling me more things about this situation. So, if you're not the one that is clearly >> that ain't even my hand. I could show you my handwriting. >> You clearly ain't the one that is running the show obviously, but you are doing stuff for them and it's very obvious. You know it. I know it. >> This is my first time, >> right? But obviously, how much money >> how much money did they say they would give you if you cash these checks for them? Let's start there. Don't don't don't reach for the skies. Okay, just tell me how much money >> was just 4,000. >> 4,000 of the 15, >> right? Because they got he got to pay whoever makes the checks and I don't know. >> That's what he said. >> Yes. And I don't know who makes them. Like I don't know. I don't I don't know who makes the checks. I don't know who's how often he does this. Did Did he ever boast? They ever go, "Oh, yeah. I'd be making 50 G's a month." >> They do it a lot from my understanding. >> How much is a lot would you say? I mean, I would say maybe like a lot as if like how you get up and you clock in and go to work every day. This is like their job. This is like a person like if you was getting up, clocking in, going to work, and you doing this, but >> he got he got socials. He got Insta. >> N got Facebook. >> I don't got him on social media. No, I'm pretty sure he do, but I don't have social media. I do have a Leo on Facebook. >> Okay. Can you pull her Facebook up? >> And I'm pretty sure his Facebook name ain't even Drake. >> That guy right there. >> Is that >> the guy with all the money? The racks. >> I like him. Yeah. ATM dread. >> Yeah. See, I ain't got them. You see, I ain't got We ain't friends. We ain't friends. I ain't never had them on social media or anything. So, >> appreciate you working with me, >> John. >> Oh. Um, you got your work phone by chance? Grab it on me. Uh, can you do that for me? Or if you Yeah, just wait for John >> if he's got his. >> Okay. >> Do you have any of the ECU numbers? Any of those guys? >> All right. Madison's number on my work phone. >> Hey, can you come here and take a picture of that? Of what? That >> that is the guy. These are the checks. and sit with her. Anybody getting footage right now? >> This is your pretty much like your one chance right now. If I can get a detective down here, would you talk to them? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I I can't go to jail. I got too much to lose. I'm in school for my medical assistant. I got way too much to lose. I ain't never been in trouble before. Okay. So, um since you're telling me the truth and being honest as much as you have been, um we are going to go to the station. We're going to talk to detectives, okay? And pretty much everything that you've told me truthfully tell them cuz they can help you out whereas right now you could just possibly go to jail. And it's uh it's a theft. So, you know, you help us out, we help you out essentially. Makes sense. So, and [snorts] we're going to we're going to the station. We're going to talk to detectives. Um and then go from there information from you from about the other people. Um make sense? Sound good? Okay. Can't take the purse in the back of the car with you, though. Uh, can you take your watch off and put it in the purse? [clears throat] >> Just sure. >> And then detectives will tell you what to tell other people, yada yada yada. >> Yeah. Um, before we go out there, if you need in your pockets, just flip your pockets inside out. Okay, you get this contraption open. Tell I don't have much experience with purses. Anything else? Flip your pockets inside out. Okay. And the pants ones, flip them inside out. Okay. All right, turn around for me. >> I'm just going to take the small of my hand and when I brought you back. Okay. >> All right. All right. We're good. Um what we're going to do is I am going to um take you out in handcuffs. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, it doesn't look like you're just cooperating with us. >> That makes sense. >> Um and then I'll drive you to the station. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Put your hands behind your back. Palms together. Palms together. >> Palms together. >> Like what do you >> like this? Like you're praying. >> Like there you go. There you go. >> Be more comfortable. >> Release a little bit. There you go. >> Okay. >> Don't move because it'll get tighter if you move. And it out more. There you go. Keep your palms together cuz it'll be more comfortable that way. All right. Follow me. Got this stuff. >> Yep. >> You just throw the phone in the purse. >> Yep. Her partial admission that she questioned whether the checks were real satisfies intent under the willful blindness doctrine. Proceeding despite serious doubt is legally sufficient. The $4,000 promised payment seals it. Legitimate payroll checks do not come with a cash cashing fee. Text messages retrieved with her consent. No warrant required under the fourth amendment date back weeks and reference money and checks directly. The dumpster story was over before it started. Asia Ballinger was charged with uttering forged checks, a thirdderee felony carrying up to 5 years. The co-conspirator known as Dread left before officers reached the parking lot. His subsequent arrest status is unconfirmed at the time of this analysis. The officer receives an A minus. He built rapport without deception, let each version of the story collapse on its own weight, and offered cooperation as a path without crossing into improper promises, all legally sound. The deduction is for Miranda timing. A pre-in advisement, even if not strictly required, would have removed any suppression risk entirely. Ballinger receives a C+. She was a runner, not the architect. The handwriting was not hers, and that distinction can matter at sentencing. But fabricating the Joe and Dumpster story damaged her credibility in ways that will follow her through the case. When she finally cooperated, naming Dread, providing his number, acknowledging the payment she gave herself, the only real asset she had left, she found it too late, but she found it. Three lessons stand out here. First, willful blindness is not a defense if the circumstances clearly signal fraud and you proceed anyway. The law treats that as knowledge. Second, fabricating a story under interview does not buy time. It builds evidence. Every inconsistency is admissible. Third, cooperation has real legal value, but only when it comes before the case against you is fully built. Ballinger cooperated after the text messages were already in the officer's hand. Earlier, honesty would have been a stronger position. Check fraud schemes like this one rely on recruiters finding people who need money and are willing to ask few questions. If someone you know offers you cash to deposit or cash checks on their behalf, that is the scheme regardless of what story comes with it. Knowing the law is not just for lawyers. It is the difference between being a victim of a scam and being charged as a participant in one. If this breakdown was useful, subscribe and leave a comment with any interaction or legal topic you want analyzed next. For courtroom coverage, find us on our second