Man pleads guilty in scam

An Arizona man pleaded guilty Thursday to five federal crimes related to a scam that victimized Jensen's Jewelers in Kalispell.

Troy McCready, 26, of Benson, Ariz., faces up to 92 years in prison and a fine of up to $1.75 million if he's convicted.

He pleaded guilty to attempted bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, possession of a false document-making implement, possession of images for counterfeiting, and counterfeiting.

According to court documents, McCready had mail stolen from a man in Phoenix, including a genuine check from the man's Bank One of Phoenix account, which the man had signed. The check had personal identification and account information on it.

McCready counterfeited a similar check and then forged the man's signature in February to buy $1,400 worth of jewelry from Jensen's Jewelers. The jewelry included an Apache diamond bracelet, a ring, and a Paul Maret watch.

He also manufactured a fake Arizona driver's license with his computer and laminating equipment. The license had the victim's name and McCready's photo and description. He used that to pass the counterfeit check at Jensen's.

When Kalispell police went to McCready's motel, they also found data files with electronic images of U.S. currency in denominations of $50 and $100, and two counterfeit $50 bills.

Sentencing will be Nov. 3.