Albert Lea woman charged with continual stealing from a victim’s checking account, forgery

NORTHWOOD — An Albert Lea woman has been charged with ongoing criminal conduct, forgery and drug charges in Worth County.

Criminal complaints state that on May 24th an Iowa State Patrol trooper stopped to check on a vehicle parked on 485th Street east of Wheelerwood Road as it was parked in a strange place. 35-year-old Samantha Haukoos was identified as the driver.

During a search of the vehicle, the trooper found bank information for a different person written in a notebook belonging to Haukoos. A search warrant was obtained for Haukoos’ cell phone, where in the phone were pictures of checks written from the victim’s account. After obtaining bank information, Haukoos allegedly cashed checks written from the victim’s account totalling over $1000.

When contacted by law enforcement, the victim said he was unaware of the checks and cooperated in providing his bank information to verify the checks cashed into Haukoos’ account were from his account.

Haukoos was charged with: ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison; forgery, a Class D felony; as well as third-degree theft, possession of methamphetamine first offense, and possession of marijuana first offense.

Haukoos had her initial appearance in court on Thursday. A date for her arraignment has not been set.