In the April 2016 term of court, the Pocahontas County Grand Jury indicted David Darrow, 60, of Mason City, Iowa, on One Count – Obtaining Money by False Pretenses, a felony; and One Count – Fraudulent Schemes, a felony.
The charges involve an alleged scam perpetrated via telephone on a resident of Cass in December 2105 and January 2016.
Pocahontas County Chief Deputy Troy McCoy investigated the incident and, working with authorities in Iowa, was able to confirm Darrow’s identity and location.
A warrant for Darrow’s arrest was obtained in February. The information was presented and an indictment was returned by the Grand Jury in April.
According to the indictment, Darrow allegedly defrauded a Cass resident by obtaining two blank checks on her bank account to “cover initial expenses for winning the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes.”
Darrow is alleged to have made the checks payable to himself – one for $8,700, which he cashed; and the other for $9,500.
The total amount of money obtained under false pretenses is $8,700.
Darrow failed to appear for his April 26 arraignment, and a capias was issued by the court.
McCoy contacted officials in Iowa and asked that Darrow be “picked up.”
According to KIMT.com, Darrow was arrested in Iowa May 16 for “crimes allegedly committed in West Virginia.” He was held without bond.
McCoy and Sheriff’s Department Cpl. James Peteete traveled to Iowa last week to escort Darrow back to the state.
He is being held in the Southern Regional Jail pending his appearance in circuit court.
Darrow is scheduled to be arraigned Friday, July 1, at 9:15 before the Honorable Jennifer P. Dent.
