Spring Valley man to stand trial March 24 in connection with fraud, forgery

Wozniak enters not guilty plea to 2 felonies

gavel — A Spring Valley man charged with trying to bilk a La Salle bank out of more than $17,000 will stand trial March 24 on two felonies.

January 03, 2025 at 5:05 am CST

A Spring Valley man charged with trying to bilk a La Salle bank out of more than $17,000 will stand trial March 24 on two felonies.

Cole R. Wozniak, 22, appeared Thursday in La Salle County Circuit Court and entered a plea of not guilty to financial institution fraud, a Class 2 felony carrying a prison sentence of three to seven years, and forgery, a Class 3 felony carrying two to five years.

Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. ordered Wozniak, who is out of custody, to return to court March 13 for a motions hearing.

Wozniak was indicted Dec. 30. According to court records, he attempted on Nov. 5 to open an account at La Salle State Bank with a personal check for $17,562 from a closed account. He also forged an email to “guarantee the availability of funds,” according to court records.