IA woman faces 33 theft, forgery charges allegedly benefitting Harmony businesses

(ABC 6 News) – An Iowa woman appeared in Fillmore County Court Monday on 33 theft charges: two counts of theft/transfer movable property, two counts of theft by check, seven counts of theft by swindle, two counts of receiving stolen property, and 20 charges of check forgery.

Mindy Jo Jones, 41, of Waterloo, Iowa is accused of depositing $37,000 in checks intended for a Cresco man into her own business and personal accounts in Harmony, Minnesota.

According to court documents, the Cresco man noticed around June 2022 that he had noticed several checks from Reicksview Farms missing and had contacted the farm for check images and deposit information.

The man told law enforcement that at the time the checks were deposited, Jones was living with him in Iowa.

According to court documents, Jones deposited nearly $27,000 into a “Tin Rust and Harmony” business account, her vintage store, with another $2,800 into “Shirt Off My Back,” another business owned and operated by Jones.

According to court documents, about $7,300 went to Jones’ personal checking account at First Southeast Bank in Harmony. The businesses’ accounts were also located in the Harmony bank.

The Cresco man told law enforcement Jones may have stolen the checks from his home or mailbox.

All of the checks were made out to the Cresco resident, but many were endorsed with a “for deposit only” stamp from the business Tin Rust and Harmony, while three others also had a forged signature.

According to court documents, the man told law enforcement he did not sign any of the checks or give Jones permission to deposit the funds into her accounts.