ONE OF THE LARGEST SUCH CASE TYPES BUSTED IN LAWRENCE COUNTY
FEBRUARY 12, 2026 – written by WADE QUEEN
Three individuals, two men and a woman, each of whom are from a different state, were arrested in Louisa on Tuesday afternoon, February 17, involving what turned out to be a significant bust of the trio conducting a check scam operation at multiple banks in Louisa involving forged checks, fraudulent identity cards from different states, illegally obtained debit cards, and along with what possibly was drug contraband in their vehicle as well.
The case unraveled for the trio when the Louisa Police Department was contacted about suspicious activity involving check cashing attempts involving at least two Louisa banks.
According to the arrest citations, Louisa Police Department Chief Steven Wilburn and sergeant Teddy Newsome observed activity by one suspect that was consistent with a fraudulent check scheme involving Citizens Bank and City National. During the investigation, multiple identification cards from different states and IRS checks with various names were reportedly located.
The other two suspects were observed at City National Bank on North Main Cross Street engaging in a possible fraudulent check scam involving a fictitious Department of Treasury check. Multiple Treasury checks, fictitious identification documentation, and debit cards were reportedly located during the investigation.
Officers also reported in the arrest citation that small baggies containing suspected drugs were found in a clear pouch inside a purse bellowing to the woman.
The arrest citation stated that interviews confirmed the subjects were traveling to different banks as part of the alleged scam.
The three fraud-scam trio ring were identified and their charges as the following:
Kaysaun Madden was taken into custody by Louisa Police Department sergeant Teddy Newsome.
The three suspects were taken into custody and were later transported to the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville in Johnson County; where Cody Hughes and Kaysaun Madden remain incarcerated as of Thursday afternoon, February 19; while Tina Dunfee has since posted her bond and has since been released from the jail.
This case remains under investigation by the Louisa Police Department.
