Tejeda

Esmeralda Lexus Marie Tejeda, 18, of Des Moines, was arrested on a warrant by Marshalltown police Monday and was charged with third degree theft.

Tejeda cashed three fraudulent checks at a Marshalltown retailer between Jan. 14 and Jan 17. In exchange, she received $1,498.52. Tejeda admitted to police she cashed the checks, but did not know why there would be a problem. Police contacted the companies which issued the checks and were told they were not legitimate.

Third degree theft is an aggravated misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to two years in jail and a fine between $625 and $6,250.

At her initial appearance Monday, a magistrate judge ordered her released on her own recognizance and appointed Tejeda a public defender.

Her preliminary hearing is March 13.