Gary Man Charged with Bank Fraud After Alleged Check Scheme
GARY — A 36 year-old Gary man is facing felony charges after investigators say he attempted to defraud a financial institution by depositing fraudulent checks into his account and quickly withdrawing thousands of dollars in cash.
According to court documents, the investigation began after a July 8, 2025, incident at Centier Bank, located at 504 Broadway in Gary. Bank officials told police that Jamel Deshaune Hutson entered the branch and deposited a check for $4,483.05 made payable to himself, drawn on a People’s Bank account belonging to a local business. Hutson’s account reportedly had a balance of just $5.57 at the time of the deposit.
Shortly after, Hutson allegedly made rapid withdrawals totaling $4,480 in four separate transactions. The check was later returned unpaid and confirmed to be fraudulent.
Two days later, on July 10, Hutson allegedly returned to the drive-thru of the same branch and attempted to deposit a second check, this time for $4,233.97, drawn on a different company’s account. When asked to come inside to discuss the matter, Hutson reportedly said, “Okay, I’ll be right in,” but never entered the building. That check was also determined to be fraudulent.
Detectives reviewed surveillance footage of both transactions and confirmed Hutson’s identity using police photographs.
Charges filed on August 1, 2025, include:
• Fraud – Victim is a financial institution, Level 5 Felony
• Fraud – Victim is a financial institution, Level 5 Felony
Lodged in the Lake County Jail on August 3,2025
