Detroit Woman Faces Life in Prison After Alleged Attempt to Pass a Bad Check at Village Kroger

A 49-year-old Detroit woman waived her preliminary exam Thursday in the court in an alleged fraudulent check case that could land her in prison for life. 

Charita Laree Edwards is charged with a single felony count of uttering and publishing a check and a misdemeanor count of under false pretenses. A habitual offender count is attached to the felony, which makes the possible punishment of up to life in prison. Normally that felony would carry a 14-year maximum prison term.

Those charges are likely just the beginning, according to officials. 

Edwards was arrested near Cadieux and Charlevoix July 26 after leaving the in the Village. According to a police report, a cashier recognized her from a memo posted at his register and alerted his boss, who called police. The cashier tried to stall Edwards, who was noted on the memo as a person who has been writing bad checks at stores throughout the metro area, but she grabbed the check out of his hands and left the store. The check had been written for $188.67. During her arrest, police said they found multiple IDs on her and numerous items purchased from the Kroger and in the Village. She said she tried to write the bad check because she was hungry, according to the police report. 

During Thursday's hearing, her attorney attempted to get her bond lowered significantly, explaining she cannot afford the $25,000 cash bond required. He argued the offense was a nonviolent offense and her history is of a nonviolent nature. Plus, he said, she has extensive family in the community. 

Prosecutor Gary Bresnehan described her as a flight risk considering the level of penalty her most recent charge carries and her historical use of aliases. He also noted her criminal history, dating back to 1988. She's served time in prison, on parole and on probation for similar crimes and is continuing to commit the same crime, he said.

He also told the judge that Kroger is investigating Edwards for bad checks at stores throughout the metro area with a particular focus in Macomb County and more charges are likely to be brought against her.

According to the police report, Edwards may be responsible for passing more than $10,000 worth of bad checks at various Kroger stores throughout the area. 

Judge Russell Ethridge lowered her bond amount slightly but defended the amount he originally imposed, explaining the circumstances of the offense made it a reasonable amount. 

Patch is awaiting a return call from the Kroger of Michigan spokesperson.