Deputies say local man who allegedly forged checks faced with over two-dozen felony counts

PINCKNEY- A total of thirty felony charges have been lodged against a man from Lewis County for allegedly using checks and forging signatures of the account holder, without permission.

James F. Smith, 51, of Copenhagen, NY was arrested last Tuesday by the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say Smith is formally charged with 29-counts of criminally possessing a forged instrument, along with one more felony count of grand larceny in the fourth-degree.

Police say Smith is accused of forging checks with the signature of the account holder.

These incidents reportedly occurred between November, 2021 and March, 2022.

Following processing, Smith was arraigned and held, without bail, at Lewis County Jail.

Members of the New York State Police assisted.

Image via the Lewis County Sheriff's Office.