Martin in Greene County jail on multiple charges since Oct. 2

Published Oct. 18, 2020 10:45 AM CDT / Updated Oct. 20, 2020 11:25 AM CARROLLTON — A 24-year-old woman already in legal trouble in three Illinois counties is sitting in the Greene County Jail on new charges from a more recent incident. Abigail L. Martin, last reported address in Macoupin County, has been sitting in jail following an incident on September 25.

Greene and Morgan county cases are separate

While the forgery cases in both counties are quite serious and have the same modus operandi (M.O.), they are not closely linked. In Morgan County, Martin faces forgery charges stemming from an April 2019 incident. Case allegations state Martin was forging documents to purchase a vehicle under false pretenses from Westown Ford in Jacksonville. She appears in court again on December 2 at 9 a.m. for another pre-trial conference. A WLDS Radio news release Tuesday provides more detail on the Greene County arrest, according to communications with Caleb Briscoe, Greene County State’s Attorney. Law enforcement would determine that Martin did write a bad check to Morrow Brothers Ford in Greenfield to procure a vehicle on September 25. Knowing this, she would still continue to possess the vehicle as it was obtained through fraudulent means at the time of the transaction. This would result in a warrant being requested on September 28 and approved by a Greene County judge. She is currently in jail on a $50,000 bond, with a 10% payment of $5,000. Charges include deceptive practice, aiding and abetting the possession or sale of a stolen vehicle, and conspiracy to steal a vehicle. However, in her case — 2020CF86, her charges state bad checks/deceptive practice and receipt/sale/possession of a stolen vehicle. A conviction results in a Class 4 felony on the former charge and a Class 2 felony in the latter charge as a result. Tom Piper, who represents Martin in an ongoing Morgan County case, is her legal representation in the Greene County case.

Martin stopped

Additional information received from Greenfield Police Chief John Goode would reveal that Hillsboro Police would stop Martin on a traffic stop earlier in the day on October 2.  Martin was indeed in the stolen vehicle in question and knowing this with an active bench warrant, would relay this information to Greenfield Police. An APV was put out for the vehicle and for Martin. The Greenfield Police Department would later make the arrest during a traffic stop with a warrant in hand.

Other cases for Martin

Martin would make appearances in Montgomery and Sangamon county courts in the month of September. She would appear in Sangamon County court on September 21. Case files allege that Martin wrote bad checks to the Village of Pawnee for water bill payments. Her next appearance will be on November 16 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Ryan Cadagin. Martin made an appearance in Montgomery County court on October 1. She faces charges of identity theft and practicing nursing without a license. Arresting officer Dep. Jeff Roach would deliver testimony under oath. There was probable cause in the offenses. However, a jury trial is pending. Martin will appear again on November 13 at 11 a.m. before Judge Don Sheafor, Jr. Martin is also wanted on active warrants in North Carolina and South Carolina. Nothing more is available as of press time. This is an ongoing developing story.

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