UPDATE: New details emerge in Navy Federal Credit Union fraud investigation
UPDATE 7/18/24 3:48 p.m.: New details of the Columbus Navy Federal Credit Union fraud investigation were revealed as a third suspect appeared in Recorder’s Court on Thursday afternoon.
Curtis Davis, 40, is accused of working with Steven Verrett, a former employee of Navy Federal Credit Union, to steal more than $120,000.
Verrett was arrested back in May – and police say he was at the center of the scam working from the inside out.
According to police, Davis deposited two checks into an account belonging Christopher Upshaw, who is currently in federal prison after an assault on an FBI agent.
Funds were later withdrawn from Upshaw’s account through cashier’s checks, ATM withdrawals and counter cash withdrawals. Police say Davis ended up with that money.
Davis’ attorney Michael Garner had this to say on the case.
“So they got checks going here and there, and they’re different people, different companies. And they’ve made a case against some other people, one of them who works at the credit union,” said Garner. “And apparently, from what I can find out, this is the person that is doing all this. And he’s got various people to help him in different ways. And, I’ve only had this case two days. So, I’m trying to figure out what’s going on.”
The total amount stolen or attempted to be stolen is about $2.4 million.
Columbus Police Department Sgt. Jane Edenfield spoke with WRBL on the investigation.
“It’s kind of like peeling an onion, you know?” said Edenfield. “It’s we think we know where we’re headed, and then we peel a layer of an onion and then it’s something else. We get something then it hangs a left. Right now what we’re looking at, I mean, Mr. Verrett, it’s at the top. You know that that may not be the case when we get to the end of this.”
Judge David Ranieri ordered Davis be held without bond. Garner said he will go to Superior Court to get a bond. Davis was free on bond from a credit card fraud case four years ago.
Police say additional arrests and charges are coming.
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A third suspect in an ongoing fraud investigation involving Navy Federal Credit Union has turned himself in, according to the Columbus Police Department.
Curtis Davis, 40, turned himself into police on Monday after warrants were obtained for his arrest.
According to CPD, the investigation shows two checks totaling in $122,225.98 were deposited into a NFCU account belonging to Christopher Upshaw, who is in federal prison. Police say surveillance footage showed former employee Steven Verrett depositing both checks, with Davis providing the check in one instance.
More Information: Second suspect in Navy Federal fraud scam has first appearance in court
The other check was deposited while Verrett used customers as cover, according to CPD.
Funds were later withdrawn from Upshaw’s account through cashier’s checks, ATM withdrawals and counter cash withdrawals. Police say Davis was reported to have received cash from Verrett on multiple occasions.
Police added that records indicate Davis deposited cash from a check withdrawn from Upshaw’s account into his own private bank account.
Davis is being charged with third degree forgery and theft by deception. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, July 18 at 2 p.m.
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