ST. THOMAS — A 20-year-old woman has been arrested after allegedly cashing a fraudulent check worth nearly $68,000 drawn on government funds.

According to the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Economic Crime Unit began investigating on August 14 following a complaint filed by the Virgin Islands Department of Finance against Jeannia Caleb.

The investigation revealed that on July 9, 2025, Caleb entered First Bank’s Waterfront branch and successfully cashed a check in the amount of $67,914.32. The check, made out to her, appeared to be issued from the Government of the Virgin Islands’ First Bank account that holds American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

Finance officials later confirmed that the check was fraudulent and had never been issued to Caleb. Detectives said she was identified through bank surveillance footage showing her cashing the check.

On August 28, Caleb turned herself in at the Economic Crime Unit, where she was arrested and charged with Passing Forged Bills or Notes Possession of, Grand Larceny, and Obtaining Money by False Pretense.

The court set bail at $20,000. Caleb was processed at the Richard Callwood Central Command and, unable to post bail, was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending her Advice of Rights hearing.