**** Amherst Police Release
Fraud and identity fraud investigation leads to multiple arrests
A fraud and identity fraud investigation conducted by the Amherst Police Department’s Major Crime Unit has resulted in the arrest of five people.
Arrested were:
Kristyn Elizabeth Walton, 34, of Amherst, N.S. She has been charged with fraud under Section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code, identity fraud, under Section 403 of the Criminal Code, uttering a forged document under Section 368(1) of the Criminal Code and possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Tara Lynn Matthews, 41, of Amherst, N.S. She has been charged with fraud under Section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code and identity fraud, under Section 403 of the Criminal Code.
Robert John Reynolds, 36, of Amherst, N.S. He has been charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and possession of fentanyl for the purpose of trafficking under Section 5(2) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Steven Earl Donaldson, 29, of Collingwood, N.S., who has been charged with possession of methamphetamine under Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Jessica Dawn Scott, 28, of Amherst, N.S., who has been charged with 2 counts of failing to comply with release conditions under Section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code.
Reynolds, Walton, Donaldson and Scott were remanded and are scheduled to appear in court at a later date. Matthews was released and is also scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
The investigation began on June 15, 2022, when police received a complaint about a purse that had been stolen at a local business. Over the next few weeks, it was learned identification taken from the purse was being used to apply for credit to purchase a vehicle.
On Sept. 29, 2022, Amherst officers, assisted by Truro Police Service members, conducted a planned operation that led to the arrest of four persons in relation to the fraudulent transactions. One of these persons was later released without charges being laid.
In conjunction with the planned operations, police executed a search warrant at a York Street residence, which resulted in the arrest of two more people, one of whom was arrested for allegedly breaching their release conditions.
The search yielded additional information related to the fraud-identity fraud investigation as well as other evidence that supported the laying of the other charges.
In addition, the search resulted in the seizure of cannabis, suspected methamphetamine, suspected crystal methamphetamine and suspected fentanyl.
The investigation continues, which might result in additional charges being laid.
