LaPorte County Jail Commander, Captain Andrew Hahn, along with other members of the Jail Administration, noticed suspicious irregularities of funds on some inmate’s accounts during the month of September.

Large sums of money were being placed onto the inmates’ communication system (Securus) accounts from a source outside the jail. The same inmates were bonding out of the jail almost immediately and leaving with the remaining balance on a jail-issued debit card.

As this activity continued to occur, inmate Securus accounts were closely monitored, and Chief of Detectives, Captain Andy Hynek, was briefed resulting in him initiating an official investigation. The investigation uncovered a complex fraudulent scheme involving certain employees of the Hardee’s fast-food restaurant in Michigan City, along with several other subjects being involved.

In August and September of 2023, a few Hardee’s employees photographed credit/debit card numbers of customers who purchased food at the drive-thru window. The card numbers were then fraudulently used by placing monies onto Securus accounts of inmates with low bond amounts. The inmates were bonding out almost immediately utilizing the fraudulent funds on their Securus account. The inmates were released with the remaining balance of their Securus account on a jail-issued debit card which is normal procedure. After leaving the jail, the former inmates were transported to area ATMs where the remaining balance on the jail-issued debit card was withdrawn.

The investigation uncovered a total of $14,700 in fraudulent charges. The victims, who originally went to purchase food at the drive-thru of the Hardee’s, are working with their financial institutions to have the funds returned to them.

As a result of the investigation, probable cause was found, and arrest warrants were issued for the following subjects:

• Darrien R. WARD – Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

• Prince C. ARNOLD – Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

• Kristin R. VANSCHOYCK – Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

• Madison M. ZUK – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

• Anisa C. HIGGINBOTHAM – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

• Hollie D. LACHAPELLE – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

• Carissa A. BEALOR – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

• Lawrence ARMSTRONG – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

• Moesha Monique Savanna PAYNE – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

• Dylnn V. SCOTT – Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (L5 Felony) & Criminal Organizational Activity (L6 Felony)

Earlier this week, members of the Warrants Division and Fugitive Apprehension Street Team, along with the assistance of the US Marshals Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force, arrested four of the aforementioned subjects. All the other subjects, excluding SCOTT, have been arrested as well. If you know the whereabouts of SCOTT, you are encouraged to provide your tip (s) to FAST (219-608-9572) or Michiana Crime Stoppers (800-342-7867).