Today, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters announced the indictment of Vernon Johnson (DOB 9/14/92); DeMarlo Harris (DOB 11/10/89); DeShay Melton (DOB 8/26/93); Shammon Richard (DOB 7/30/97); and Karen Smith (DOB 1/5/92) on charges involving the theft of over $1 million dollars from Fifth Third Bank.

Johnson is charged with 1 count of Theft (Felony 2), 1 count of Telecommunications Fraud (Felony 1), 1 count of Forgery (Felony 3), 2 counts of Money Laundering (Felony 3), 1 count of Theft (Felony 5), 1 count of Telecommunications Fraud (Felony 4), and 1 count of Forgery (Felony 5).  If convicted of all charges he faces the possibility of up to 24 years in prison.

Harris is charged with 1 count of Theft (Felony 2), 1 count of Telecommunications Fraud (Felony 1), 1 count of Forgery (Felony 3) and 1 count of Money Laundering (Felony 3).   If convicted of all charges he faces the possibility of up to 24 years in prison.

Melton is charged with 1 count of Theft (Felony 2), 1 count of Telecommunications Fraud (Felony 1), 1 count of Forgery (Felony 3) and 1 count of Money Laundering (Felony 3).  If convicted of all charges he faces the possibility of up to 24 years in prison.

Richard is charged with 1 count of Theft (Felony 2), 1 count of Telecommunications Fraud (Felony 1), 1 count of Forgery (Felony 3) and 1 count of Money Laundering (Felony 3).  If convicted of all charges he faces the possibility of up to 24 years in prison.

Smith is charged with 1 count of Theft (Felony 5), 1 count of Telecommunications Fraud (Felony 4), 1 count of Forgery (Felony 5) and 1 count of Money Laundering (Felony 3).  If convicted of all charges she faces the possibility of up to 6 ½ years prison.

Between May 17, 2018 – June 28, 2019, Johnson and others deposited bad checks into various Fifth Third Bank accounts. Before the checks cleared, he and the others listed in the indictment would withdraw the funds from Fifth Third Bank ATMs, the Belterra and JACK casinos and check cashing establishments.

“Vernon Johnson, DeMarlo Harris and Shammon Richard thought they could use JACK Cincinnati Casino to conduct their illegal activities, but their scheme was brought to light thanks to the diligent work of our Gaming Agents in monitoring and investigating suspicious financial transactions,” said Ohio Casino Control Commission Executive Director Matthew T. Schuler.  We appreciate the efforts of Prosecutor Deters and his office to hold these individuals accountable.”

Prosecutor Deters commented, “I want to thank the Ohio Casino Control Commission, Fifth Third Bank and the Cincinnati Police Department for the excellent investigation in this case.  Thieves are always trying to think of new scams and ways to steal money.  Fortunately, in this case everyone worked together to shut down this criminal activity and the defendants are now facing many years in prison.”