Baxter County, Arkansas Sheriff's News Release:

A man and woman have been arrested and are in custody on felony charges of Forgery and Theft following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division.

On June 9th, Sheriff’s Investigator Brad Hurst was contacted by the owner of Woodsmall Enterprises in Henderson, Arkansas in regards to some personal checks he had accepted from customers that had been returned by the bank due to being issued on a closed account. Investigators began to follow up on the complaint. The investigation lead officers to believe these checks had been stolen and forged, and two suspects were ultimately developed.

The complainant identified the female suspect from a photo lineup. This woman, identified as Antoinette Zamora, was located, and she came to the Sheriff’s Office for interview. She admitted to taking the checks not belonging to her from another woman she was residing with, forging them, and using them to make a purchase from the victim. A male suspect was also implicated during this interview.

Investigators located the male suspect, identified as Johnny R. Potter, and he also came to the Sheriff’s Office to be interviewed. He also admitted to taking part in forging and passing stolen checks on the closed account.

Sheriff’s Investigators determined that stolen, forged checks had also been written by the suspects in late May, 2009 to several other businesses in Baxter County, including L. & L Oil Company, Gassville Auto Parts, and the Sunfest Market in Gassville. These checks totaled almost $1,400. Both suspects were arrested and taken to the Detention Center.

Antoinette Zamora, 28 years old of Mountain Home, is charged with:
--Forgery 2nd Degree (9 counts) – Felonies
--Theft of Property (1 count) – Felony
--Theft of Property (6 counts) – Misdemeanors
--Contempt of Court (2 counts) – Misdemeanor Warrants

Antoinette Zamora is being held in custody in lieu of $50,000 bond. She will appear in Circuit Court on July 16th.

Johnny R. Potter, 30 years old of Melbourne, is charged with:
--Forgery 2nd Degree (9 counts) – Felonies
--Theft of Property (1 count) – Felony
--Theft of Property (6 counts) – Misdemeanors
--Probation Violation – Felony Warrant

Johnny R. Potter is also being held in custody in lieu of $50,000 bond on the criminal charges, and with no bond on the Probation Violation. He will appear in Circuit Court on June 18th.

Investigators have reason to believe Potter and Zamora have committed additional forgery and theft crimes within the City of Mountain Home that are currently being investigated by the Mountain Home Police Department. Additional charges may be filed.