Gary Woman Facing Felony Charges After Alleged Forged Check Cashing In Griffith
Griffith-A Gary woman, Brenda Lynn Keaton, 33, has been charged in Lake County,after investigators say she cashed a $1,000 company check without authorization.
According to court documents, on April 12, 2025, an officer was assigned to investigate a theft and fraud case involving a missing check from a business checkbook. The complainant told police that when reviewing the company’s budget, two checks were found missing. He said the only person who had been at his residence recently was his girlfriend, Brenda Keaton.
The court document states that one of the missing checks had been cashed at Speedy Check Cashers, located at 1030 E. Ridge Road in Griffith, and that Keaton did not have authorization to remove or cash any company checks. The complainant told police he contacted his bank to stop payment on the second missing check.
Investigators later learned that employees at Speedy Check Cashers confirmed Keaton cashed a $1,000 check around 2 p.m. on April 11, 2025. The business reported that the check contained a forged signature and that they suffered a financial loss as a result.
In October, the store’s manager told detectives the loss remained unresolved and provided copies of previous legitimate checks. Investigators noted that the handwriting on the forged check was visibly different from the authorized ones.
The affidavit states Keaton was positively identified by her Indiana ID card on file with the business, and she was confirmed as a live-in girlfriend at the time of the incident.
Court records show Keaton has been lodged in the Lake County Jail since October 8, 2025, for a separate pending criminal case.
Charges filed November 12,2025:
• Forgery — Defendant, with intent to defraud, makes/utters written instrument purportedly made by another person (Level 6 Felony)
• Fraud — Loss between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
• Theft — Value of property between $750 and $50,000 (Level 6 Felony)
