The last two defendants in a traveler’s check fraud case pleaded guilty Thursday, June 24. Originally, there were six defendants in the case. The others entered guilty pleas on April 1.
The $650,000 fraud case was investigated by the Seal Beach Police Department and the U.S. Secret Service.
According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, the six thieves used forged American Express Travelers Cheques to buy items at Southland retail stores, then went back to collect refunds on their purchases.
The collective value of the thefts: $650,000.
According to the Orange County Superior Court Web site, occourts.org, Tyrone Dote Gray, 33, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty on June 24 to 11 of 108 criminal counts, including forgery and conspiracy to commit a crime. He was sentenced to two years and eight months in state prison.
All the other charges were dismissed, according to occourts.org.
Gray could have been sentenced to as much as 74 years and 8 months in prison, according to the DA’s Office.
His girlfriend, Tyrica Jenice Goff, 31, Los Angeles, also pleaded that day. According to occourts.org, she pleaded guilty to 13 of 110 counts, including second degree burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime. The court has not yet dismissed the remaining 97 counts.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Goff is expected to be sentenced to seven years in state prison.
Goff could have faced a maximum sentence of 82 years and 8 months in prison.
In February, SBPD Sgt. Steve Bowles said the case began when a crime involving traveler’s checks was reported at the Kohl’s store. During the Seal Beach investigation, detectives learned that the Secret Service had information about one of their suspects.
The two agencies then worked together on the case.
The other defendants received less severe sentences that did not include time in state prison.
• Jazmine Williams, 21, of Los Angeles, who on April 1 pled guilty to charges that included second degree burglary and forgery.
• Brittany Ellesse Myvett, 18, of Los Angeles, who pled guilty to multiple charges of second degree burglary and forgery.
She admitted to taking more than $50,000.
• Niesha Sherri Johnson, 25, of Lancaster, pled guilty to one count of second degree burglary, one count of possessing a forged document and one count of conspiring to commit a crime.
Johnson’s mother also pled guilty to her role in the same case on Thursday, April 1.
• Nedra Sherri Beard, 41, of Los Angeles, pled guilty to one count of burglary and one count of conspiracy to commit a crime. Beard is Johnson’s mother. Beard was sentenced to three years probation, 60 days in jail and to work for CalTrans for 15 days.
To make a comment on this story at the Sun Newspapers’ Web site, go to Sunnews.org.
Crime Log Assembled by Charles M. Kelly
The crimes listed in the Sun Newspapers were reported to Seal Beach Police Department, Los Alamitos Police Department and Orange County Sheriff Department between June 14 and June 25, 2010. Only street names are used; times given are reported times, not incident times.
Crime Log entries are based on preliminary information. Space limitations make it impossible to publish every incident. Until proven guilty in a court of law, all suspects are considered innocent.
IN SEAL BEACH
Monday, June 14
Fraud Report—8:51 a.m.—Hazelnut Avenue—The caller said an unknown person had entered a false lien against the caller’s residence.
Petty Theft From Vehicle—9:27 a.m.—Dogwood Avenue—The crime apparently occurred between noon, Sunday, June 13 and the time of the call to police. The vehicle was unlocked at the time. Loss: miscellaneous items.
Burglary Report—3:05 p.m.—4th Street—The caller reported that someone broke into the laundry machine in the laundry room located in the middle of the complex. The caller had to leave and referred police to the manager.
Wednesday, June 16
Health and Safety Violation—1:20 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—The caller said a woman in a pickup truck might be smoking marijuana from a pipe. Police contacted the driver of the pickup and counseled the driver about using medical marijuana.
Grand Theft Report—7:32 a.m.—12th Street—Someone stole the caller’s bicycle between 3 p.m. and the time of the call to police. The bicycle was valued at $480.
Thursday, June 17
Petty Theft Report—2:59 p.m.—Seal Beach Boulevard—Someone removed a wallet from the caller’s purse within the last two hours.
Extra Patrol Checks Requested—3:32 p.m.—10th Street—The caller said there was an on-going problem with vehicles speeding through the alley.
Vehicle Burglary—4:32 p.m.—Marina Drive—The crime apparently occurred between 4 p.m., Wednesday, June 16 and 7:15 a.m., Thursday, June 17. No suspect information. Point of entry: unknown. Loss: stereo, keys to spouse’s work and spouse’s identification badge. The stolen items were collectively valued at $2,100.
Friday, June 18
Citizen Assist—7:24 a.m.—Ironwood Avenue—The caller’s daughter refused to get up for school.
Illegal Peddling—2:42 p.m.—Main Street—Two white men in front of the caller’s business were trying to get people to donate to their cause. The caller feared they were creating a disturbance to her customers. She said the men kept using the bench in front of the business.
Citizen Assist—11:05 p.m.—13th Street—A 63-year-old citizen locked herself out of her residence and needed help getting into her back yard.
Sunday, June 20
Burglary Report—7:02 a.m.—Lampson Avenue—The crime apparently occurred between 1 p.m., Saturday, June 19 and the time of the call to police. Point of entry: an unlocked door. Loss: a 20-inch LCD television.
IN LOS ALAMITOS
Monday, June 21
Disturbance Subjects—1:47 a.m.—Lexington Street—A man was reported yelling and screaming to himself. He was seen running down the stairs and screaming at a residence.
Tuesday, June 22
Municipal Code Violation—6:32 a.m.—Cerritos Avenue—The caller said construction began before the time allowed by the Los Alamitos Municipal Code. The caller said this was an ongoing problem. Officers spoke with the crew who said they would comply with the code.
Wednesday, June 23
Disturbance—9:44 a.m.—Reagan Street—A long time resident refused to leave the property. She eventually got her possessions together and left the residence.
Friday, June 25
Citizen Assist—7:21 a.m.—Cerritos Avenue—Construction was going on in a parking lot and a vehicle needed to be moved. Officers assisted in finding the owner and moving the car.
Saturday, June 26
Illegal Peddlers—3:48 p.m.—Denwood Avenue—An unspecified number of individuals were handing out window information. They were advised about illegal peddling and left the area.
Sunday, June 27
Disturbance, Juveniles—1:15 p.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard—Juveniles reportedly broke a light inside the church and left the scene.
IN ROSSMOOR
Monday, June 21
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—12:39 a.m.—Los Alamitos Boulevard.
Disturbance, Music or Party—11:43 p.m.—Davenport Road and Bradbury Road.
Tuesday, June 22
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—7:26 p.m.—Blume Drive.
Warrant Arrest—9:21 p.m.—Wallingsford Road.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—10:40 p.m.—Tigertail Drive.
Wednesday, June 23
Vandalism in Progress—10:32 p.m.—St. Albans Drive.
Thursday, June 24
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—1:57 a.m.—Shakespeare Drive.
Burglary Report—5:20 a.m.—Oak Knoll Drive.
Suspicious Person or Circumstances—1:17 p.m.—Ruth Elaine Drive.
Friday, June 25
Burglary Report—2:30 p.m.—Mainway Drive.
Stolen Vehicle—6:31 p.m.—Foster Road.
IN SUNSET BEACH
Monday, June 21
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—12:15 a.m.—N. Pacific Avenue and 26th Street.
Tuesday, June 22
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—2:14 a.m.—N. Pacific Avenue and 10th Street.
Suspicious Person in Vehicle—11:38 p.m.—S. Pacific Avenue and 6th Street.
Friday, June 25
Disturbance, Music or Party—9:25 p.m.—25th Street.
Disturbance, Music or Party—10:21 p.m.—25th Street.
Brian Smith of the News-Enterprise contributed to this article.
