An Ellicott City man pleaded guilty in Carroll County Circuit Court yesterday to stealing $3,600 in travelers' checks he purchased with a counterfeit check made on his home computer.
Anthony J. Greiner, 28, will be sentenced Aug. 21. Prosecutor David Daggett asked Judge Francis M. Arnold to order a presentence investigation to "find out what's happening [with the defendant].
"This [scheme] was fairly complicated, well thought out, and [the reproduction of the check was] very realistic," Daggett said.
In return for Greiner's plea, the prosecutor agreed to drop forgery and uttering charges.
In the statement of facts, Daggett said Greiner went to the Westminster office of AAA Mid-Atlantic July 8 and used a check imprinted "Maryland Federal Credit Union" to purchase $3,600 in traveler's checks.
Greiner cashed the travelers' checks at various banks before AAA Mid-Atlantic officials became aware that no business operates as the Maryland Federal Credit Union.
Daggett said Westminster police investigated and searched Greiner's home, where they seized computers and printers.
Greiner gave police a 15-page written statement detailing how he created the counterfeit checks, the prosecutor said.
Police had an easy time linking Greiner to the theft, because he used his own AAA membership card as identification when he cashed the travelers' checks, Daggett said.
At Daggett's request, Arnold ordered that Greiner be supervised by parole and probation officials until sentencing and that he begin paying restitution to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
Pub Date: 5/30/97
