Justin Forrest Plank

Justin Forrest Plank, 38, 877 E. Northshore Drive, Syracuse, was arrested on Thursday, April 23 for check fraud.

According to a probable cause affidavit of probable cause from the Kosciusko County Prosecutor’s Office, Plank commissioned Hilton Brothers Construction to construct a building for JP Developers, a company owned by Plank, at a cost of $8,000.

On Aug. 21, 2014, Plank issued a check to Arlen Hilty, owner of Hilton Brothers Construction, in the amount of $4,000 as a down payment on the project. Check number 1454 was issued through Lake City Bank and signed by Plank.

On Aug. 25, 2014, the check was returned for insufficient funds. The affidavit states that Hilton Brothers Construction contacted Plank regarding the bounced check, but Plank refused to compensate the company for the insufficient funding.

Syracuse Police Department obtained JP Developers checking account information. Plank was the president and primary executor of the account when the fraudulent check was issued.

On April 20, Plank advised SPD that he would pay Hilty the $4,000 he owed. As of April 22, Plank had still not repaid the debt.

Plank was arrested and held on a $4,000 cash bond.