Pike now faces a range of felony, misdemeanor and violation charges.

He continues to be held at the Clinton County Jail on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond and is expected to return to Plattsburgh Town Court at a later date to face the charges, which include five felony counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, four felony counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and a violation charge of unlawful dealing with firearms.

State Police said an execution of a search warrant at Pike’s Spaulding Road home recovered several items allegedly involved in the transactions.

As the scam investigation was continuing last week, State Police also charged Pike with an additional felony count of second-degree possession of a forged instrument and misdemeanor charges of petit larceny and fourth-degree attempted grand larceny.

Authorities are advising local residents that authentic traveler’s checks never exceed $100 and would not be issued in $500 amounts.

Officials believe at least one other person may have been taken by the $500 checks and ask that anyone with information about a craigslist sale involving a fraudulent check to contact State Police at 563-3761.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at:

avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com