Man jailed over county check

A former inmate due $15 for money not used at the Spokane County Jail earned himself another stay behind bars by forging the check for more than 200 times the amount, sheriff’s officials say.

John P. Oak, 44, was arrested Thursday for forgery and second-degree theft after he tried to withdraw money from Banner Bank in Rockford, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.

Jail staff on Jan. 11 noticed Oak had cashed a check from the jail for $3,042.21, though jail records showed the check was originally written for $15.

Oak received $1,000 in cash and deposited the rest in his account, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Bank employees notified police Thursday that Oak had tried to withdraw more funds but was denied. Oak has been released from jail and is to be arraigned on Tuesday, according to online court records.