Valleywide : 5 Charged in Checks, Credit-Cards Scam

Prosecutors filed an array of charges Monday against five alleged members of a nationwide travelers-check and credit-card counterfeiting ring, including three residents of the San Fernando Valley.

Julius Anderson, 45, of North Hills; Maria King, 32, of Canoga Park; Albert Marion, 52, of North Hills; Avry Lyons, 43, of Los Angeles, and Jacqueline Marie Marshall, 44, of Los Angeles, were charged with receiving stolen property and grand theft of property, said Elka Worner, a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office. The group is expected to be arraigned today in Los Angeles Municipal Court.

Authorities arrested the five in conjunction with a series of raids Thursday at 15 locations throughout the county in which counterfeit checks and scores of bogus credit cards, as well as cars, furs and jewelry, were seized.

Authorities allege the members used the phony credit cards to go on all-day shopping sprees for loot that included Dom Perignon champagne, furniture and television sets.

Marion, King and Anderson also face charges of possession of an access card and unlawful possession of an incomplete access card, Worner said. Lyons is charged with selling an access card, possession of an illegal weapon and receiving stolen property.