Two Newton residents face a list of charges, including several felonies, for allegedly stealing mail and using stolen credit cards and checks. The Jasper County Sheriff’s Department arrested 32-year-old John Davis and 30-year-old Lauren Parkison on warrants, following a joint investigation with the Newton Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service. 

According to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Department, Davis and Parkison were identified as suspects in connection with several theft of mail reports received from rural Newton residents. The victims also indicated credit cards and checks that were being mailed to them were used at various banks and businesses. Jasper County Sheriff Brad Shutts says a Jasper County Deputy saw Davis and Parkison in a vehicle at a Newton Apartment complex Tuesday and stopped to speak to them. Davis allegedly ran while the deputy detained Parkison. The deputy then followed Davis and took him into custody at a nearby apartment. 

Davis is charged with Forgery and Identity Theft between $1,500-$10,000, both Class “D” felonies. He also faces14 Aggravated Misdemeanor charges. Four counts of Forgery and two counts of Identity Theft between $1,500-$10,000 were filed against Parkison, along with 15 various Aggravated Misdemeanors Both Davis and Parkison are in the Jasper County jail pending preliminary hearings on Monday.