New felony bad check charge filed in Newton County against former Carl Junction businesswoman

Less than three weeks after a felony bad check was filed against her in Jasper County Circuit Court, a former Carl Junction businesswoman is facing another bad check charge in Newton County.

The new charge comes as a result of the same Joplin Police Department investigation that led to the earlier charges against Lauren Ann Zallar, (DOB 1986), former owner of E & P Wireless. Her initial appearance in Jasper County Circuit Court is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 10.

As in the Jasper County charge, Zallar is alleged to have written and cashed checks on a closed account.

From the probable cause statement:

On 01/11/2024, a report was made with the Joplin Police Department in reference to checks being deposited on a closed from a closed account at a business located in the City of Joplin, Newton County Missouri. RP advised that on 12/08/2023 Zallar deposited a check in the amount of $500.00 at an ATM at 32nd/McClelland Blvd at 2152 hours. 

Zallar then deposited 3 other checks from a closed account on the following dates:

 

12/09/2023 at 0314 hours in the amount of $ 300.00, 12/09/2023 hours in the amount of $300.00, and then again on 12/10/2023 at 0041 hours in the amount of$ 250.00. 

The RP advised that Zallar had written all the checks to herself from an account that she had at US Bank that had been closed. The RP advised that Zallar had transferred the money to herself through CashApp before the checks were returned advising that the account was closed. 

Video surveillance footage was provided that showed Zallar depositing the checks at the ATM on the above dates. Zallar was identified by reviewing photographs of her Missouri OLN photo. 

Contact was made with Zallar by the RP in reference to the checks that were deposited, and Zallar was uncooperative. I also made attempts with Zallar in reference to this case and was unsuccessful in my attempts.

Zallar is also awaiting trial in Jasper County Circuit Court on drug trafficking and driving while intoxicated charges. Her next court appearance in that case is scheduled for April 11.