Seven jailed in door-to-door care packages for soldiers cash scam

Seven out-of-state men were arrested Saturday on felony fraud and other charges after officers uncovered a scam where the suspects allegedly went door-to-door asking for money donations they said would be used to assemble care packages sent to U.S. soldiers overseas, a Carson City sheriff’s deputy said.

Officers began investigating the men after dispatch received several calls from Carson City residents who said they were asked for money from one of the men and the pitch that was being used didn’t appear to be legitimate, according to the arrest report.

In custody are Cameron Laird, 24, and his brother Trevor Laird, 19, of Bartlesville, Okla., Alexander Devin Cousins, 20, of East Flat Rock, N.C.; Cory James Felasco, 27, of Ashtabula, Ohio; Cortez Johnson, 21, of Glendale, Ariz.; Joshua Roth, 30, of Petals, Miss. and Fary Espinosa, 18, of Houston, Texas.

“The arrests are the result of residents who felt what these men were doing was suspicious and called dispatch because they suspected fraud,” said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong. “For solicitors who don’t show their identification and permits we always urge citizens to please contact the sheriff’s office. The deputies did a good job tracking these guys down.”

According to the arrest report, deputies were given clothing descriptions and located the first suspect, Cameron Laird, in the area of Silver Sage. A deputy made contact and could smell marijuana on the man. The deputy asked if he was going door to door soliciting and Laird confirmed he was. The officer asked him for his solicitor’s permit and company business license. The 24-year-old stated he did not have a solicitor’s permit, a copy of a business license or any form of identification on him, the report states.

Laird advised he works for “Something for Soldiers Sales LLC” and said he was collecting cash or personal checks door-to-door to help send care packages to military personnel overseas. There was no business license or company information on the laminated card he had with him, which did have a customer service line that was not active, the arrest report states.

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