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Phony checks net woman real prison sentence
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A Turlock woman was sentenced to four years and eight months in state prison for using counterfeit checks and buying a car with fraudulent money orders.
Edith Ayon, 31, pled guilty on Monday in Stanislaus County Superior Court to commercial burglary and auto theft charges, according to the District Attorney’s Office. The two felonies occurred on different days and happened while Ayon was on parole for theft and possession of methamphetamine for sale.
The first offense was reported on March 25 at an Umpqua Bank in Modesto. According to the prosecution, Ayon attempted to cash a counterfeit check for $627.74 at the bank, but got nervous and left, leaving behind the check and her identification card. When contacted by law enforcement, Ayon claimed she needed the money to buy alcohol. She was arrested and released for custody after posting bail.
On May 3, Ayon purchased a used 2005 silver Honda Accord that was parked on Crows Landing Road with a for sale sign on it. She gave the victim 15 counterfeit $500 Money Gram money orders totaling $7,500, and the victim handed over the car keys, pink slip, and bill of sale. When the victim went to cash the money orders, she was informed that they were counterfeit. Ayon was identified by the victim in a photo lineup and taken into custody.