Wayland Woman Faces Drug and Check Fraud Charges

A Wayland woman is facing multiple charges ranging from larceny to drug posession following a police investigation that began about 10 days ago.

On Thursday, police arrested Megan Sutherland, 19, of Commonwealth Road after an investigation into a fraudulent check cashing scheme that is believed to have started in April. After Sutherland's arrest, police found her to be in posession, without prescriptions, of Suboxone, a Class A drug often used to fight opiate dependency, and Percocet, a narcotic pain reliever, Det. Sgt. Jamie Berger said.

According to Berger, police began their investigation after several individuals reported cashing bad checks for Sutherland. He said Sutherland asked the individuals to cash the checks, which were stolen and all written for more than $250. The person would comply, handing over the money to Sutherland, only to later discover the checks weren't good.

Berger estimated about $10,000 of bad checks had been written.

Berger said that the stolen checks belong to the parents of one of Sutherland's friends. Police have not yet filed charges against the friend, though they believe the friend took the checks and gave them to Sutherland.

According to a police press release, Sutherland has been charged with larceny over $250, larceny over $250 (single scheme), larceny by false pretense, receiving stolen property (under $250) (two counts), attempt to commit a crime, possess false/stolen RMV document, possession Class “A” drug (three counts), possession Class “B” drug, forgery of a check (three counts).

She was arraigned at Framingham District Court on Thursday.