Arrests include several members of a family who face “Theft by Check” charges
El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal and El Paso Sheriff Richard Wiles today announced the results of a 3-day hot check warrant roundup conducted in El Paso County from Tuesday June 15 through Thursday June 17, 2010.
In total 22 officers from the El Paso Sheriff’s Office, El Paso County Constables Precincts 1, 3 and 7, Texas DPS Troopers, and investigators of the County Attorney’s Office participated in the roundup
During the roundup the officers arrested 27 individuals with outstanding hot check warrants. Among them were 2 members of a family with a history of writing hot checks.
This morning officers arrested 18-year-old Rebecca Blount who owes $2,595 from writing 24 checks with insufficient funds. Rebecca was released from jail this afternoon after paying a $500 bond and is awaiting a trial date. Officers also detained Rebecca’s mother, 50 year-old Rosa Blount. Ms Blount had an outstanding arrest warrant for writing 5 insufficient funds checks that total $308, however she was not accepted at the County Jail for medical reasons and she will be summoned to appear before a judge. Ms. Blount’s son, Jorge Ivan Blount, currently faces “theft by check” charges for passing 158 hot checks that total more than $20,000. He is awaiting trial scheduled for August 10, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. at the County Court of Law #1 before Honorable Judge Ricardo Herrera.
Although this round of arrests is over, investigators from the County Attorney’s Office will continue to search for the nearly 3,000 individuals with outstanding arrest warrants. Individuals may still attempt to avoid arrest by paying as soon as possible in person or online at the following locations:
• El Paso County Courthouse
500 E. San Antonio, room 503 (5th floor)
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
• El Paso County Ysleta Annex
9521 Socorro Rd., Suite A-3
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
Forms of payment accepted include most credit cards, money orders, cashiers checks, and cash; those paying cash will have to bring the exact amount (cashiers can’t give change).
In addition, residents can make payments online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through “Hot Check E-pay,” by visiting the El Paso County Attorney’s Office web-page at www.epcounty.com/CA.
For more information regarding hot check payments and balances please contact the El Paso County Attorney’s Office Hot Check Unit at 546-2051.
Since May 14, 2010, when the amnesty period was announced, the County Attorney’s Office has collected more than $102,000. In total, 606 individuals took advantage of the amnesty period, paying 794 hot checks. The money will be paid to 289 local merchants.
During last fiscal year (2008-2009) the Hot Check Unit collected 1.2 million dollars in outstanding hot checks. This year, the County Attorney’s Office has collected more than $720,000.
El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal today also thanked members of the local media for collaborating in making the amnesty program a big success.
“The County is currently facing a severe budget deficit, and our office did not have the resources to publicize the amnesty program. Several local media outlets graciously offered their support and helped us by covering the amnesty program extensively and by posting the Hot Check Warrant List on their webpages as a community service. We will always be grateful for their help and support,” Bernal concluded.
