On 5/25/21, the Mt Pleasant Police became aware of credit card skimmers placed at a local gas station. Three skimmers were seized and the local banks were made aware. Local banks have been great in providing illegal transactions on the cloned cards to law enforcement. As a result of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at 705 S Sheridan St in Ottumwa IA. During the search, a credit card reader, notes with card numbers, and three illegally purchased gift cards were located. As a result of the investigation, Erlian A Gonzalez age 35 and Juan M Almenares Morales age 56, both of Ottumwa and formerly Miami Florida were arrested and charged with Ongoing Criminal Conduct, a Class B-felony, and Illegal use of a Scanning Device, a Class D felony. They were both transported to the Henry County Jail where they are being held pending arraignment. More charges are pending and the investigation is still ongoing. The Mt Pleasant Police Department was assisted by the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office and Ottumwa Police Department. We would also like to thank Wayland State Bank, Pilot Grove Savings Bank, Aldis, and Hy-Vee, and Wal Mart for all of their assistance in helping apprehend the suspects.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.