On December 23, 2025, the Chisago County Sheriff' Office responded to a complaint regarding checks being cashed multiple times, with the amount of the checks being altered. RS reported he hired a person to do cleaning on the interior and exterior of his home, which is located in Rush City, Chisago County Minnesota. RS reported he hired a handyman to complete work/cleaning at his residence on three occasions. On each occasion, RS paid the person, identified as JOSEPH ALVIN PETERSON ([DOB redacted]), herein Defendant, for the work completed.
RS stated he was notified by his bank checks written to Defendant had been fraudulently deposited. RS reported Defendant completed work at his property on 10/28/2025. RS paid Defendant by check #108 in the amount of $450 for the work completed. RS reported Defendant completed work at his property on 11/13/2025. RS paid Defendant by check #110 in the amount of $300 for the work completed. Finally, RS reported Defendant completed house cleaning at his residence on 12/10/2025. RS paid Defendant by check #9188 in the amount of $240 for the cleaning completed.
RS did not consent to altering the checks or allowing the checks to be deposited multiples times. A Chisago County Sheriff Deputy and Investigator investigated the alleged fraud. The Investigator obtained bank records from RS's bank and Defendant's bank. In review of these records, the Investigator learned the following: For check #108 written for $450, Defendant deposited this check into his Associated Bank account on 10/28/2025 via mobile deposit. This was legitimately deposited. The same check was deposited by Defendant into SoFi Bank on 11/08/2025 via mobile deposit.
This same check, now altered to $480, was deposited by Defendant into his Associated Bank on 12/15/2025. The check appears visibly altered from $450 to $480. For check #110 written for $300, Defendant deposited this check into his Associated Bank account on 11/13/2025 via mobile deposit. This was legitimately deposited. The same check was deposited by Defendant into SoFi Bank on 11/26/2025 via mobile deposit. For check #9188 written for $240, Defendant deposited this check into his Associated Bank account on 12/10/2025 via mobile deposit.
This was legitimately deposited. The same check was deposited by Defendant into SoFi Bank on 12/10/2025 via mobile deposit. The same check, now altered to $340, was deposited by Defendant into his Associated Bank account on 12/10/2025. The check is visibly altered to $340, from $240. On March 6, 2026, a Chisago County Deputy spoke with Defendant at his residence in Rush City. Defendant confirmed he received the above checks from RS for work completed at RS' property in Rush City. Defendant admitted to altering check #108 from $450 to $480 and check #9188 from $240 to $340. When asked about depositing the same check multiple times, Defendant stated he thought the bank would catch it.
