A New York man attempting to cash a fraudulent check at United Community Bank in Summerville on September 18,  was apprehended and subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including identity theft and forgery. The suspect, initially identifying himself as James Harold Cochran, was later revealed to be Michael Bryant.

The incident unfolded at approximately 4:14 PM when Summerville Police Department officers Lt. Det. Cox and Captain Railey responded to a call from United Community Bank at 9699 Rome Blvd. Bank officials had alerted authorities to an individual attempting to pass a suspicious check.

Upon arrival, officers encountered a male who presented a Georgia driver’s license for James Harold Cochran, born May 25, 1964. However, Captain Railey immediately noted discrepancies with the presented ID, specifically an eight-digit license number, which deviates from the standard nine digits for Georgia licenses, raising suspicions of fraud.

The subject claimed to be a contractor in town for a property purchase and stated the check was payment for remodeling work. His demeanor was described as agitated, nervous, and evasive when questioned about personal details. He frequently referred to his ID rather than directly answering questions and repeatedly inquired about the nature of the accusations against him.

Further investigation by Lt. Det. Cox inside the bank revealed crucial information from bank employee Anita Willingham. Willingham stated that the same individual had previously attempted to cash a check at a United Community Bank in Adairsville, Georgia, using a different name and ID. He had also tried to cash a check at a branch in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Photos from these previous incidents, provided by the bank, matched the suspect’s current appearance, including a light-colored Nike T-shirt, dark-rimmed glasses, and a single black earbud, which he was wearing at the time of his arrest.

When confronted with the mounting evidence and inconsistencies, the subject was detained. At the Summerville Police Department, the male admitted his true identity was Michael Bryant, age 53, and that he resided in Dover Plains, New York.

Following a Miranda rights advisement, Bryant agreed to cooperate. He revealed he had flown into Atlanta from New York with two unidentified black males and had been staying at a local motel. He claimed to have been transported to Summerville by associates.

Bryant admitted he was attempting to cash a fraudulent check for $8,950, made payable to James Cochran and drawn on a Wells Fargo account belonging to John and William Boynkins. Bank employees had already identified the check as fraudulent. Bryant stated he was to receive 5% of the fraudulent amount as his cut. He also confirmed the use of a Bluetooth earbud to communicate with his accomplices.

During the investigation, Chattooga County SO provided an image of a silver Chevy SUV, which Bryant identified as the vehicle used to transport him. The vehicle was traced to a Hertz rental, registered in Alabama.

Additionally, Investigator Stephanie Guzman of the Floyd County Police Department arrived on scene to follow up on an identity theft case in her jurisdiction. Bryant confessed to using the identity of Andy Kight to fraudulently obtain $1,800 in Adairsville. Bryant provided consent to search his phone, which was unlocked for investigators.

Michael Bryant was transported to the Chattooga County Jail. He faces charges of Identity Theft (for assuming the identity of James Cochran), Forgery 1st Degree (for presenting a false driver’s license), and Forgery 3rd Degree (for presenting the fraudulent check). The interview with Bryant was audio-recorded.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to identify and locate Bryant’s accomplices.