Man allegedly lied to charity about being victim of flood

A 42-year-old Chehalis man was arrested Thursday after a United Way representative discovered he had lied about his need for flood aid after having already received services and supplies, a Lewis County Sheriff’s Office news release said today.

Ted Cherry Jr. reportedly told different stories to United Way employees about being a flood victim.

He told one employee he had a 20-acre farm in Boistfort destroyed by the recent flood. Cherry told a different employee that he lived in Curtis, had lost everything, and had been sleeping in his car for the past week.

United Way gave Cherry cash cards for groceries and gas. He was also given clothing and relief supplies.

A volunteer working at the United Way office felt so sorry for Cherry, since he had purportedly lost everything he had, that she used her credit card to pay for 10 nights at a hotel. Cherry, who was not a flood victim, told a detective that once he started lying, he couldn’t stop because they were being so sympathetic and offering him services.

“This type of activity is cowardly and disgusting and, unfortunately, I fully anticipate further incidents to arise as criminals both from within and outside our communities try to take advantage of the horrendous situation surrounding the flood victims and the trust and goodwill of our relief workers,” Sheriff Steve Mansfield said.

“I want to make the message very clear that I have devoted special resources to track and aggressively pursue all calls of this nature, not only to the point of arrest but also as they move through the system. I am asking for the public’s help in reporting this type of activity and alerting us to possible fraudulent contractors who are or will be attempting to swindle those in need.”

Cherry was booked into the Lewis County Jail on theft charges.