A Fort Dodge man remains in custody after he allegedly wrote fraudulent checks from a stolen checkbook owned by his previous employer. According to Calhoun County District Court records, 42-year-old Shawn Michael Jones was taken into custody on Feb. 3 after authorities say he stole a checkbook from his employer after being fired in December 2025. He then forged the owner’s signature to make purchases at six different stores totaling around $3,700. During that same timeframe, Jones was also on parole for second-degree theft out of Sac County. He is facing one count ongoing criminal conduct, acts of specified unlawful activity, a class B felony. It is also reported that Jones is facing forgery, and two counts third degree theft out of Hamilton County, as well as warrants for his arrest for theft charges in two other states. He is being charged as a habitual offender, requiring 70 percent of his sentence to be served before being eligible for parole. A class B felony in Iowa carries a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in prison.
