A Madison County man, who was caught up in a “check washing” scam, was ordered to reimburse two Upper Valley banks a total of $8,694.04 after cashing fraudulent checks in March of last year. He was also sentenced to five years in prison but will first be placed on felony probation.

Karl Vidrine and his attorney Trent Grant met before Seventh District Judge Dane Watkins where he pleaded guilty to grand theft on May 11 at the Madison County Courthouse. In exchange, the state dropped felony burglary charges.

Vidrine has accepted responsibility for cashing the bad checks at banks in both Rigby and Rexburg, reported Madison County Deputy Prosecutor Adam Garvin

“In mitigation, he has accepted responsibility,” Garvin said. “The state recognizes the defendant experiences mental health or developmental disabilities that had an impact or played a part in these crimes that started on March 13 last year.”

Garvin noted that Vidrine has a lengthy criminal history involving misdemeanors which have been resolved.

“I’ve talked to the defense council and reviewed the information,” Garvin stated. “The defendant has been doing very well and complying with his release requirements. I ask the court to follow through with a unified sentence of five years suspended.”

Grant spoke and told Watkins that Vidrine had struggled with a lack of housing and instability while living in Salt Lake City.

“Karl was homeless and off his meds and had some developmental issues,” he said.

Grant reported that Vidrine had been taken advantage of by someone in Salt Lake and that led to the “washing of the checks.”

“(That person) has never been held responsible,” Grant said of the perpetrator.

According to the U.S. Postal Service washing checks involves literally washing the checks with chemicals to remove the name of the person receiving the check and the dollar amount on the check. From there a perpetrator writes in another person’s name and sum allowing for it to be illegally cashed.

Police arrested Vidrine in Utah and returned him to Idaho earlier this year. He was later released on the condition that he stay at an Idaho Falls rescue mission.

“He was able to get some stability,” Grant said. “That was a big step. He’s made arrangements to get into some public housing. He is looking for a job. He’s a markedly different person when he is medicated.”

Grant also reported that Vidrine is in a good place where he’s not being taken advantage of. He’s also had some medical needs taken resolved, Grant said.

“I bring all that up (because he’s gone) from some negative situations and some criminal conduct instigated by someone else,” Grant said. “He’s found some stability and is probably the most stable situation he’s been in years. He’s just working in a very positive direction. He takes responsibility for what happened here.”

Grant asked for probation and credit for the 152 days that Vidrine has spent in custody in both Utah and Idaho jails.

Vidrine spoke and said he’s been following court requirements.

“I’m doing good,” he said. “I’m just trying to do what I’m supposed to do.”

Watkins then sentenced Vidrine to a five-year unified sentence followed by five years of felony probation. Vidrine was also ordered to pay restitution of $8,694.04, pay $1,000 in court fines, provide 100 hours of community service, and to maintain regular contact with his probation officer.

“I wish you luck,” Watkins said.