By Joe Bachman

A Wisconsin Rapids man faces four counts of fraud after intentionally writing and using forged checks to a business.

According to police reports, on Nov. 28 a report was made regarding two fraudulent checks received by a business on the 8800 block of State Highway 13. The checks were written at two different times — on Nov. 17 and Nov. 27.

A man identified as 34-year-old Christopher Sparks is suspected to have forged the checks after video surveillance was presented to police. The two checks were originally written to a charity for a fundraiser in the amounts of $10. Sparks crossed off and changed the amounts to $50 dollars and $40 dollars.

Sparks also allegedly crossed out the payee and identified himself as the owner of the checks before using them. It is not known how Sparks obtained the checks that he is suspected to have altered.

If convicted, Sparks faces up to 24 years imprisonment and up to $40,000 in fines for two counts of forging checks, and two counts of using them. His initial appearance is slated for Jan. 23.