Hammond- On January 7, 2010, Louisiana State Police Region I Detectives were conducting surveillance near a Hancock bank in Hammond in relation to a fugitive investigation. While doing so, investigators observed a white male suspect being dropped off in a parking lot of a closed business. The suspect crossed the parking lot on foot and traveled across the street to the Hancock bank. After entering and leaving the bank a few minutes later, he walked back to the parking lot of the closed business and began looking around. Believing a crime possibly occurred due to his suspicious activity, he was stopped and interviewed.

The suspect produced a Texas driver’s license for John P. Terrell (W/M age 61) and stated that he had just cashed a check in the bank. The suspect was found to have $4,380.00 in cash in a bank envelope in his pocket. Having knowledge of a recent fraudulent check cashing scheme, the suspect was detained further to continue the investigation.

The investigation revealed the suspect successfully cashed a check from America’s Best Sign to John Terrell for $4,380.00. The check was determined to be fraudulent by Hancock Bank and the true identity of the suspect was discovered as Keith R. Hatley (W/M age 49), a parole violator from Texas for a 1981 homicide conviction. Hatley cooperated in the investigation and admitted to taking part in a fraudulent check cashing scheme. He was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail as a fugitive from Texas and charged with Bank Fraud, Access Device Fraud, and Identity Theft.

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TFC Nick Manale
Public Affairs Unit Troop L