MONTGOMERY – Alabama Department of Labor Commissioner Tom Surtees announced today that the Department has successfully prosecuted several Alabamians for unemployment compensation fraud. The following individuals were charged with violating the Alabama Unemployment Compensation Law by making false statements in claims for benefits:  Sylvester Phelan, of Shorter, was tried in Macon County District Court on May 8, 2013. An investigation by Labor’s Benefit Payment Control Section determined that Phelan received a total of $1,285 in benefits to which he was not entitled. Phelan pled guilty and was sentenced to six months in jail, which was suspended. He was also fined $100 and ordered to pay court costs and restitution in the amount of benefits received illegally.   Thomas M. Allen, of Montevallo, was tried in Chilton County District Court on May 23, 2013.

On Saturday, May 25, 2013 the Auburn Police Division arrested Roctavius L. Todd, 24, of Auburn on warrants charging him with Discharging Firearm into Occupied Vehicle and Assault 2nd Degree.  His arrest stems from a shots fired call received on Friday (May 24) at about 10:30 p.m. in a parking lot located in the 1600 block of South College Street.  The victim, Jimmie Greene, 27, of Opelika, Alabama, drove himself to East Alabama Medical Center where he was treated and released for a gunshot wound to the arm.  The case, including the reason for the shooting, remains under investigation.  Todd was transported to the Lee County Detention Center where his bond was set at $8,000.

Information Source: Auburn PD

 

On Wednesday, May 8, 2013 the Auburn Police Division arrested Marcus E. Tatum, 29, of Opelika, Alabama, on a warrant charging him with Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree.  His arrest stems from the investigation of a police report dated April 10, 2013 in which a local bank reported that two men came into the bank and passed forged checks.  Tatum was transported to the Lee County Detention Center where his bond was set at $3,000.  The other suspect, Joshua M. Strickland, 31, of Auburn, was arrested April 18, 2013 on the same charge.

Information Source: Auburn PD