SEATTLE - Federal prosecutors are accusing a Western Washington man of counterfeiting hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of checks - checks drawn from the United States Treasury. But, the case may not be as cut and dry as it seems.
According to the prosecutors, security cameras videotaped David Ellsworth Roberts walking into local banks and cashing forged checks. KING 5 News has obtained copies of some of the checks used as evidence in the case. One of the checks is for $300,000.
When the checks began bouncing, Bank of America reported it to the U.S. Treasury Department. The Secret Service was provided with one of Roberts' business cards and it began an investigation into the business. Federal agents believe the company was nothing more than a shell, it's address was a mail drop at Bellevue, Washington UPS store.
But the case takes a twist - Roberts claims he is part of The Sovereign Citizen Movement, where followers print their own identification cards, car registrations and license plates and even currency.
The FBI has been monitoring the movement.
The government says that Roberts has written letters to the Treasury Department and the U.S. Attorney General where he admits to writing the checks but claims he has every right to the money being held in his name.
"These private instruments will be processed in an honorable manner," Roberts is said to have written. "I request that you inform/instruct your agents to cease and desist all actions against me...."
Roberts is scheduled to be arraigned in Federal Court on Thursday.
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