Brandon Loud, 32, was arrested in Walton County for depositing a $505,400 fraudulent utility check.
An investigation uncovered two additional stolen checks, totaling $200,000, linked to identity theft.
Sheriff Michael Adkinson urged the public to monitor their accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and report any suspicious activity.
Investigation Reveals Multiple Stolen Checks and Identity Theft Links
WALTON COUNTY, FLA — A Fort Lauderdale man has been arrested in connection with a $505,400 check fraud scheme targeting a Walton County utility company. Brandon Loud, 32, is currently in custody at the Walton County Jail, with a bond set at $100,000, following an extensive investigation by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau.
The investigation began after a utility company in Santa Rosa Beach reported that a check mailed on August 4, 2025, to a legitimate vendor had been stolen and altered. Instead of reaching the intended recipient, a counterfeit version of the check made payable to Loud was deposited into a JPMorgan Chase account in his name on August 5, 2025.
“Cases like this demonstrate how quickly financial crimes can escalate into six-figure fraud,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “We want our residents and businesses to be vigilant and proactive in protecting their accounts.”
Investigation Details
Surveillance footage from a Chase Bank branch in Minneapolis, Minnesota, confirmed Loud as the person depositing the fraudulent check. Additional investigation revealed two more stolen checks totaling $200,000, which were fraudulently deposited into accounts of identity theft victims. Loud now faces charges of grand theft exceeding $100,000.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office encourages business owners and the public to follow several precautions to safeguard against financial fraud:
Monitor all bank accounts weekly for unauthorized activity.
Enable two-step authentication on online banking accounts.
Respond immediately to bank alerts about unusual transactions.
Report fraudulent activity promptly to your bank and local law enforcement.
Close any bank accounts that are no longer in use.
Never share banking information, particularly with individuals met online.
Community Impact and Law Enforcement Efforts
This case underscores the importance of vigilance among businesses, financial institutions, and residents. Sheriff Adkinson emphasized that financial crimes, including check fraud and identity theft, can have widespread consequences for both individuals and local businesses.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate and encourages anyone with information about similar incidents to contact the Criminal Investigations Bureau.
About the Walton County Sheriff’s Office
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office serves the residents of Walton County, Florida, providing law enforcement, criminal investigations, public safety programs, and community outreach. The office is committed to protecting residents, preventing crime, and investigating violations of the law.
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