MASON CITY – A Mason City woman has been arrested and charged with credit card fraud.
Julie Anne Melton, 37, was arrested and booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail last week and charged with Unauthorized Use of Credit Card. She was cited and released immediately. The victims are Mason City residents who live in Asbury.
Mason City police had released a surveillance photo on January 6th of a woman who was wanted for questioning, what they called a “possible subject who may have information about a fraud case.”
On Tuesday, Mason City police confirmed they believe Melton was behind the fraud incidents.
“We feel the woman in the photo is Julie Melton,” police said.
“Her photo was released to the media a few weeks ago when we sought the public’s help in identifying her,” MCPD’s Mike McKelvey explained. “We received numerous calls and tips from the public in a short amount of time that named different women as the lady in the photo. Melton was charged yesterday (Monday) afternoon with unauthorized use of a credit card. The credit card was used at multiple locations but I believe the photo was from Shopko. Ms. Melton is considered innocent until proven guilty.”
Melton maintained her innocence after NorthIowaToday.com posted the surveillance photo and an NIT reader named her in a comment under the story.
“My name is Julie Melton and I want my name removed from the comments on the Help Mason City Police locate a person of interest or I will be contacting my lawyer. Thank you,” Melton said to NIT on January 7th, 2013.
Mason City police expressed their appreciation for the media’s and public’s help in catching alleged criminals.
“We really appreciate the media and public’s help with identification reference some of the surveillance footage we have released over the last few months.”
SUBJECT IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
