A Florida woman accused of impersonating a bank employee to defraud an elderly resident is now facing additional scrutiny after authorities said jail staff discovered $3,200 in cash concealed inside her body.
Moniquie Love Turnbull, 31, of Miami, was taken into custody after Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies said she went to a senior citizen’s home while pretending to represent the person’s bank.
According to the MCSO, Turnbull allegedly told the victim that their account had been compromised and attempted to get the person’s debit or credit card by claiming she would dispose of it safely.
Martin County sheriff’s deputies track a vehicle during the search for Moniquie Love Turnbull, who was later arrested in connection with an alleged scam targeting a senior citizen. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
The alleged victim grew uneasy and called law enforcement. As deputies looked into the report, they received a second call that identified Turnbull as a possible suspect in a similar incident, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies found Turnbull driving near Interstate 95 before she could leave Martin County and arrested her Monday on fraud-related charges during a traffic stop captured on MCSO body camera video.
Turnbull is charged with scheme to defraud, felony use of a two-way communication device and fraudulent use of a credit or debit card without consent involving a victim age 60 or older, according to the MCSO.
TWO MEN ACCUSED OF IMPERSONATING FEDERAL AGENTS ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGED $200K GOLD SCAM TARGETING 85-YEAR-OLD
Moniquie Love Turnbull, 31, was arrested after authorities said she posed as a bank representative while targeting a senior citizen. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
The case took another turn after Turnbull was brought to jail.
Authorities said Turnbull entered the prison with $3,200 in cash lodged in her vagina.
“It’s not clear who the money was taken from, but for now, it’s accounted for and sealed in evidence,” the MCSO said in a social media post. “Keep in mind, at some point the cash will be back in public circulation.”
Cash recovered after Moniquie Love Turnbull was taken to jail is sealed in an evidence bag. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said $3,200 was found hidden inside her body. (Martin County Sheriff’s Office)
Turnbull faces an additional charge of introduction of contraband into a prison. Her bond was set at $500,000, the sheriff’s office said.
After the arrest, the MCSO warned people not to hand over credit cards, cash, gold or other valuables to anyone who unexpectedly shows up at a home claiming to represent a bank, financial institution, government agency or other organization.
Authorities advised anyone confronted with a similar situation not to allow the person inside or give them valuables and instead call 911.
