‘We’re one step further’. 3rd suspect in Columbus Navy Federal fraud case appears in court

The third person arrested in connection with a Columbus fraud investigation involving Navy Federal Credit Union pleaded not guilty in Recorders Court Thursday.

Curtis Davis is charged with forgery third-degree and theft by deception, according to police. He appeared before Judge David Ranieri to enter his plea.

Davis’ role is just one part of a growing investigation into Navy Federal Credit Union that involves hundreds of thousands of dollars, investigators say.

Sgt. Jane Edenfield with the Columbus Police Department Financial Crimes Unit said there’s “several hundred thousand dollars” in actual loss from those who have been arrested, pushing $1.5 million in exposure in those cases. The investigation is ongoing.

Steven Verrett, a former employee of Navy Federal Credit Union, was the first to be arrested in this fraud investigation in May on multiple charges, the Ledger-Enquirer previously reported . Demetrius Redding was arrested earlier this month and charged with four counts of third-degree forgery and four counts of criminal attempt of theft by deception, according to the Ledger-Enquirer .

On Thursday, Detective Christy Edenfield with the Columbus Police Department testified about Davis’ alleged involvement in the case based on bank records and video footage. She testified Davis’ case involves more than $122,000.

Part of the investigation involved two checks deposited into an account belonging to Christopher Upshaw, Edenfield said. Upshaw is currently incarcerated in federal prison, according to police.

Christy Edenfield testified multiple withdrawals were made on Dec. 23, 2023, and Jan. 13 from Upshaw’s account after the checks had been deposited and cleared.

Christy Edenfield said the cash withdrawals on Dec. 23 were two for $10,000 and one for $20,000 and a cashier’s check in the amount of $31,160.52.

There were also withdrawals from Upshaw’s account on Jan. 13, including $10,000 cash and three cashier’s checks in the amount of $10,000 each, Christy Edenfield said.

Christy Edenfield testified that video footage from JPMorganChase shows that one of the $10,000 cashier’s checks from January was deposited into an account belonging to Davis.

Footage also shows Davis was present for one of two deposits into Upshaw’s account. Davis pulled out a check from his pocket and deposited it into the ATM at Navy Federal Credit Union with Verrett present with the card for Upshaw’s account, according to Christy Edenfield’s testimony.

Ranieri found probable cause in Davis’ case and bound the case over to Superior Court. Ranieri ordered that Davis be held without bond.

Jane Edenfield told the Ledger-Enquirer that she expects more arrests to come in the course of the investigation.

“It’s kind of like climbing the rungs of a ladder, we’re one step further,” Jane Edenfield said after the hearing Thursday. “It feels good.”