163 fake money orders discovered during I-15 traffic stop

ST. GEORGE — Utah Highway Patrol arrested two 19-year-old girls Wednesday morning near mile marker 2 on Interstate 15 for multiple felony forgeries and drug charges.

According to a probable cause statement filed in connection with the arrests, UHP Trooper Jesse Williams stopped a vehicle for traveling too slowly and not moving into the right lane when the opportunity arose. In the vehicle were two passengers, identified as Alexis Armanie Trammell, who was driving, and Nedra Marie Lee, both from Compton, California.

Alexis Armanie Trammell of Compton, California, booking photo posted Aug. 13, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Alexis Armanie Trammell of Compton, California, booking photo posted Aug. 13, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Lee’s license came up as suspended, and Trammell’s identification card showed she had never obtained a license. The vehicle had been rented by a third party who was not in the vehicle.

Upon speaking with Trammell through the passenger window, Williams could smell a strong odor of raw and burnt marijuana emanating from inside the car, according to the statement.

A search of the vehicle was conducted based on probable cause. Marijuana and paraphernalia were found. A priority mail envelope was discovered inside the car’s trunk between the particle board and the carpet. Inside the envelope were three additional envelopes with fraudulent American Express money orders in them.

“There were 163 fake money orders with a face value of $100 each,” the statement said.

A fake traveler’s check, previously endorsed by Lee, was also found inside Lee’s purse. During further interview at a UHP section office, Trammell was found to have a fake Florida driver’s license hidden in her pants.

Nedra Marie Lee of Compton, California, booking photo posted Aug. 13, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Nedra Marie Lee of Compton, California, booking photo posted Aug. 13, 2014 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Trammell and Lee were both arrested and booked into Washington County’s Purgatory Correctional Facility.

Lee was charged with a class B misdemeanor for possession of marijuana, a class B misdemeanor for possession of paraphernalia and three third-degree felonies for forgery. According to current bookings information, Lee’s bail stands at $16, 360.

In addition to receiving the same charges as Lee, Trammell was additionally charged with a second-degree felony for possessing a false identification card, a class C misdemeanor for never having obtained a driver’s license and a class C misdemeanor for a left lane travelling violation. According to current bookings information, Trammell’s bail stands at $26,650.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

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2 Comments

  • Randy August 14, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    Good job Utah Troopers !! You guys are awesome. Keep up the good work by keeping druggies and scumbags like these 2 off our streets.

  • Connections August 14, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    Makes you wonder who their Utah connections might be. Who was going to cash these?

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