By Mike Stoll

AUSTIN — A man who forged checks stolen from an Austin couple was sentenced to five years of probation on Thursday in Mower County District Court.

Woodruff Nathaniel Easley, III, 49, of Albert Lea pleaded guilty to a felony charge of check forgery as part of a plea agreement in February. He was also sentenced to 97 days in jail, but received credit for 97 days served. A second forgery charge was dropped.

According to the court report, a couple from Austin contacted police on June 11, 2016, after they learned some of their checks had been stolen and forged. Their home had been burglarized on June 1. They were contacted by a company, who told them a person named “Woodruff Nathaniel Easley, III” had tried to cash one of their checks.

The couple knew Easley.

The couple learned Easley had written three checks, all dated June 9, 2016, to a liquor store and a grocery store worth $13.01, $26.60 and $80.72. He also wrote a check out to himself for $175.

Police reviewed video surveillance from US Bank, dated June 10, that showed Easley cashing the forged check.

Easley has two previous convictions for gross misdemeanor check forgery.

Along with probation, Easley must adhere to 18 conditions and pay $295.33 in fines and fees.