Man sentenced in check-forging ring

MOORHEAD, Minn. — An Illinois man was sentenced Friday to 44 days in jail after pleading guilty in a check-forging ring.

Anthony Santo, who prosecutors said was “very cooperative,” pleaded guilty in Clay County District Court to a single count of felony forgery after cashing forged checks Dec. 4 at banks here and in Hawley in late November.

Court documents allege Santo told investigators, “They made me do it,” saying he and another man charged in the case were approached about the scheme by a man known only as “Diondre” while they were both at a homeless shelter in Minneapolis.

Clay County prosecutors said at the time the crimes may have links to similar offenses outside the county, and that federal investigators were looking into it.

Tags: news, crime