A Longview man is accused of forging and attempting to negotiate four checks belonging to a Lewis County couple who never received their new checkbook in the mail.
John P. Clark, 30, faces four counts each of forgery and second-degree identity theft, all considered Class C felonies punishable by up to five years in prison.
Clark made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.
According to court documents, Clark is currently serving a 14-month sentence at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton for a conviction out of Thurston County.
During the preliminary hearing, Judge R.W. Buzzard set bail at $5,000 cash or bond to ensure Clark remains in Lewis County for his upcoming arraignment set for Thursday, March 5.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller indicated that Clark wishes to expedite the case.
According to court documents, the victims had contacted Timberland Bank after they failed to receive their new checks — only to learn that someone had already written checks for the series.
Investigators with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office learned that Clark had allegedly tried to negotiate four separate checks endorsed to himself at a WSECU ATM on four dates in June.
Each check was written in the amount of $500.
A sheriff’s deputy compared footage from the ATM camera to Clark’s Department
of Licensing photo and determined Clark was the suspect.
According to court documents, Clark has criminal convictions for first-degree rendering criminal assistance, attempting to elude, third-degree theft and other offenses.
The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office filed charges against Clark in November 2025.
