Two more arrested in Tupelo fraud investigation

The Tupelo Police Department has made two more arrests in a large fraud investigation. The inquiry started in late February when police stopped three cars on North Gloster Street for equipment violations. During the stops, officers found drugs, fake driver’s licenses, Social Security cards, stolen checks, and two guns. Six people in the cars were arrested and held without bond. As the investigation continued, police arrested two more suspects. Rasheeda Lyanda, 37, from Tupelo, was arrested on March 12. She faces three counts of conspiracy to commit false pretense and one count of fraudulent use of identity. Judge Willie Allen set her bond at $10,000, and she has been released. Jamarcus J. Walker, 23, from Okolona, was arrested on March 13 with similar charges. He will be held without bond, as ordered by Judge Jay Weir. This investigation is ongoing, and more charges may be filed. The case will be presented to the Lee County Grand Jury. Previously, on February 28, six suspects from various states were charged with conspiracy to commit false pretense. Some of them also face charges for identity fraud.