CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man already charged with writing checks to an area business from an account with no money now faces additional charges for similar acts in other Clearfield stores.
Eric Nelson Decker, 40, 313 Margaretta St., Clearfield, an inmate of the jail, was originally charged with three counts each of forgery, bad checks, identity theft, receiving stolen property and theft by deception in October after an investigation led police to him. These charges came after he wrote several bad checks to Bob’s Army Navy Store in Clearfield Borough. The checks were signed with the name Mike Johnson with an address of South Pine St. in Clearfield and totaled $741.39.
On Wednesday Decker waived his rights to preliminary hearings in 11 new cases. He is charged with forgery, bad checks, identity theft, and theft by deception in three cases; bad checks and theft by deception in five cases; bad checks, theft by deception and receiving stolen property in one case; theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property in one case; and bad checks in one case. He is also charged with person not to possess firearms in one of the forgery cases. His bail was set at $50,000 in five cases and $25,000 in six cases.
According to the criminal complaints, Decker opened bank accounts at Clearfield Bank and Trust Co. and Woodforest Bank with a minimum deposit. He then wrote checks to several area businesses in multiple instances that were returned without payment. This includes seven checks totaling $1,092.43 to Grice Gun Shop; two checks written to Eagle Haven totaling $1,063.76; 10 checks to JG Food Warehouse for $1,099.69; one check to the Shoe Tree for $52; two additional checks to Bob’s Army & Navy Store for $487.79; one check to Clearfield Pharmacy for $27.50; and five checks to WG Satterlee and Sons for $334.02.
In the case for which he was also charged with possession of firearm prohibited, the affidavit states that Decker was in Grice Gun Shop with a woman. He chose a rifle to purchase but requested the woman complete the paperwork because he is not permitted to have a firearm. She completed the transaction, which also included several other items. Decker issued the check for $1,277.79 to pay for them.
After a search of Decker’s residence Oct. 17, the rifle was seen in the woman’s vehicle. She agreed to a search of the car, which uncovered some of the other items purchased at Grice’s. On top of the rifle was hunting clothing, and a wallet which belonged to Decker. She told police she was the one who completed the paperwork on the rifle, but she gave it to Decker who had paid for it. It was in her car because he had been using her car to go hunting. Also in the vehicle was a muzzle loader, which was loaded. Because he had previously been convicted of rape, he is unable to obtain or possess a firearm.
In the case for which he is charged with theft and receiving stolen property, the victim who was missing a dirt bike found it for sale on E-Bay. He contacted the seller to purchase it and was given Decker’s address. After getting a search warrant, police found the bike in the bushes near the rear of the residence. When asked, Decker said he didn’t know anything about it.