North Liberty man faces 24 felonies for forgery scheme

A North Liberty man faces two dozen felonies for his alleged role in a check cashing scheme.

According to North Liberty Police Department criminal complaints, throughout the month of May, 44-year-old Kevin L. Penro deceived innocent people to cash checks that he and another man had stolen. Penro and his co conspirator, 28-year-old Nathaniel Matiyabo, then took the money from the third party.

Penro faces one count of ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony; and 23 counts of conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony, a Class D felony. A Class B felony is punishable by up to 25 years in prison and each Class D felony carries a potential five-year sentence.

Police filed charges of ongoing criminal conduct and 22 counts of conspiracy to commit a felony against Matiyabo last month. At the time, Matiyabo was already in custody on seven counts of third-degree theft, unauthorized use of a credit card, identity theft and forgery.