Rochelle man admits to changing refund check, pleads guilty to forgery

OREGON – A Rochelle man pleaded guilty Jan. 8 to forgery, admitting he changed the amount of a 2022 refund check issued by the Ogle County Circuit Clerk’s office.

Jesus Rios, 29, was sentenced to 24 months' probation through a plea agreement for the felony offense. He also was ordered to pay $600 in fines and complete 100 hours of public service.

Ogle County Public Defender Kathleen Isley told Judge Anthony Peska that a plea agreement had been reached in the case.

Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Leisten said Rios had altered a $200 refund check, changing it to $1,500 in May 2022.

Court records indicate that Rios was issued a $200 refund check on May 18, 2022, after pleading guilty and sentenced to court supervision in February 2022 for a September 2021 speeding offense. Rios was also fined $525.

Rios was charged with forgery, a Class 3 felony, on July 25, 2022, accusing him of altering the check between May 18 and 23, 2022.