MT. VERNON – A Mt. Vernon man has been arrested in connection with identity theft and forgery after Mt. Vernon Police recently responded to a report from a local bank regarding a fraudulent check.

Mt. Vernon Police say Community First Bank reported the fraudulent check on July 18. An investigation into the matter resulted in detectives determining 23-year-old Cortez M. Johnson of Mt. Vernon was a suspect in five additional fraudulent check offenses in Mt. Vernon.

Last Friday, detectives conducted surveillance on a home Johnson was known to frequent. While doing so, Johnson was seen leaving the home. Detectives were able to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle and take Johnson into custody.

At the time of his arrest, Johnson was reportedly found to be in possession of uncashed fraudulent checks and blank check paper. Detectives also located a large sum of cash in the vehicle.

Johnson was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on charges of Identity Theft, Theft over $10,000, Forgery, and Theft Between $500 to $10,000.

Johnson is currently on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections. Illinois Parole has been notified of these charges and will determine if a violation warrant will be issued.

Police say this is an ongoing criminal investigation with additional charges against Johnson and others involved in these offenses pending.