Minnesota Man Faces Multiple Felony Charges for Alleged Check Fraud and Theft by Swindle
Updated December 19, 2024, to add additional detail on ongoing allegations in Scott and Hennepin County.
HENNEPIN AND SCOTT COUNTIES, MINNESOTA — Caleb Bradley Krusemark, a 33-year-old resident of Jordan, Minnesota, faces multiple felony charges across Hennepin and Scott counties for a series of alleged fraudulent activities involving forged checks, theft by swindle, and attempts to defraud individuals and businesses. Below, we touch on some ongoing allegations against Krusemark and begin digging through his past financial civil cases. We will provide additional updates as we continue to investigate this story further.
Hennepin County Allegations
On July 23, 2024, law enforcement responded to a report of check fraud at a car dealership in Edina. According to the dealership manager, Krusemark allegedly purchased a 2023 Cadillac Escalade on July 17, 2024, using an alleged forged cashier’s check purportedly issued by Wells Fargo for $95,495.42.
The dealership accepted the check as Krusemark had also brought in a vehicle for service, appearing to be a legitimate customer. However, the check was later discovered to be allegedly fraudulent, with no associated account at Wells Fargo. The Escalade was subsequently recovered from Krusemark’s residence in Lakeville, and he was arrested.
Additionally, Krusemark is under investigation for allegedly attempting to use a forged check exceeding $1.2 million to purchase a house.
He faces two felony charges in Hennepin County:
Check Forgery – Offering a forged check with intent to defraud (Maximum penalty: 20 years imprisonment and/or $100,000 fine).
Theft by Swindle – Obtaining property valued over $35,000 through deceptive means (Maximum penalty: 20 years imprisonment and/or $100,000 fine).
Scott County Allegations
Krusemark also faces multiple felony charges in Scott County for unrelated incidents of check fraud and theft by swindle.
Case 1: Fraudulent Business Deal at a Local Tavern In January 2024, the owners of the Woodfire Tavern in New Prague reported that Krusemark allegedly had been hired to build a pergola, but after what the reporting party says was a failure to deliver, they canceled the deal and asked for their money back. Krusemark reportedly paid them $5,000, but the criminal complaint states that the final repayment of the final $3,000 kept being delayed. On the 8th of January, the criminal complaint states that Krusenarj was allegedly seen on surveillance placing an envelope on top of the bar. The envelope had a check in it, which was reported to have several irregularities and confirmed by officers of the New Prague Police. The check was brought to the bank, and the bank confirmed that there was no account tied to that account number, and it didn’t exist. While Krusemark did have an account previously there, that account was closed back in June 2023. Further investigations by law enforcement found even after this account was closed, Krusemark had previously issued multiple dishonored checks totaling over $180,000 from a closed account.
Case 2: Fraudulent Purchase of Corner Bar According to a criminal complaint from the Scott County Attorney’s Office that was issued on October 24, 2024, officers with the New Prague Police Department took a report from a victim and an owner of the Corner Bar in April 2024, that Krusemark allegedly entered an agreement to purchase the Corner Bar in New Prague for $350,000, promising to make payments of $5,000 via checks and cash until the bar was paid off. While Krusemark reportedly paid from September through December of 2023 with no issues, that changed starting in 2024, after the victim allegedly says they received a check on February 2, 2024, that they attempted to cash on the 14th of the month. When they tried to cash it, they were informed that the account tied to that check didn’t exist. This allegedly continued with the next four checks the victim received from Krusemark.
In July 2024, the victim was notified by Krusemark that they were closing on the Corner Bar that day, July 19th. After the victim spoke with law enforcement and it was further investigated, they found no paperwork ever started to purchase the Corner Bar. Following the issuing of subpoenas with the bank on the checks provided by Krusemark, the criminal complaint states that law enforcement discovered that a bank account was opened at that bank for March 14, 2024, through April 29, 2024, which would have been after the first check was given to the victim. The account number also allegedly didn’t match the account opened on that check. The other bank that checks 3 and 4 came from was also subpoenaed, and it was found that Krusemark allegedly had a savings account with them, but there was no money in the savings account, no checking account was set up, and no checks were ever issued from the account.
The criminal complaint states that Krusemark is being charged with four Scott County-related theft by check/check forgery cases, including one for a 1.2 million dollar check, which we will cover next. He also has a pending check theft case in Hennepin County for a $90,000+ check, which we mentioned at the beginning of this article.
Case 3: Real Estate Fraud In a third criminal complaint issued by the Scott County Attorney’s Office, Trademark Title Services reported that Krusemark presented an alleged forged check during a real estate transaction in Savage, Minnesota, for over $35,000. According to the criminal complaint, in May 2024, Krusemark allegedly gave an agent with ReMax in Scott County a check worth $1,254,824.86. This check was given to a title company, and according to the complaint, the reporting party believed the check was fake based on discrepancies in the check. Police investigated the incident, including collecting video surveillance showing Krusemark allegedly giving the real estate agent a check around the time and day the incident occurred. When the officer brought the check to a bank manager for further inspection, the manager confirmed that the check was indeed fake. This account was subpoenaed by law enforcement, who found that the account was allegedly owned by Krusemark and was opened in April of 2024 and then closed in June of 2024. The criminal complaint goes on to state that the account allegedly never had more than
$100 in it. The fraudulent activity prompted further scrutiny, revealing ongoing patterns of check forgery and attempted theft by check.
According to the criminal complaint, a search warrant was executed at Krusemark’s home and office, where they allegedly located black check paper. His computer was also reportedly seized, where they also allegedly found a PDF with a fraudulent bank statement for April 1 through April 31st, 2024. The criminal complaint makes sure to note that there are only 30 days in the month of April 2024, which was what made the document stand out as fraudulent. Additionally, the bank statement reportedly showed an amount of $1,841,002.99 in an account where the “cashier’s check” came from. This document was also given to the bank manager, who was again able to confirm it was fraudulent.
Pending Charges
Krusemark’s extensive history of fraudulent activity has resulted in multiple charges:
Check Forgery – Offering or possessing forged checks with intent to defraud (Felony).
Issuance of Dishonored Checks – Issuing checks with insufficient funds (Felony).
Theft by Check – Attempting to obtain property or services through fraudulent checks (Felony).
Prior Legal History
Krusemark was already on probation for a DWI conviction in Scott County, sentenced to 24 months in September 2023. The probation conditions required him to remain law-abiding, which prosecutors argue he has violated due to these new allegations. The state is seeking to allegedly revoke his probation per court documents issued on November 27, 2024, titled Order To Revoke Stay of Imposition.
Ongoing Legal Dispute in Dakota County Involving Caleb Krusemark and KD Group LLC
In a Dakota County District Court case, Kaeding Architecture LLC filed a lawsuit against KD Group LLC and Caleb Krusemark for breach of contract and unpaid architectural service fees. The case revolves around a June 2023 contract in which Kaeding Architecture was hired to design townhomes. Despite completing the agreed-upon services, the defendants failed to make the required payments.
Key Points of the Case:
Default Judgment: The court granted a default judgment in favor of Kaeding Architecture on August 13, 2024, after the defendants failed to respond to the complaint.
Financial Details: The defendants owe a total of $39,500.57, including:
$27,029.45 in unpaid fees.
$2,413.19 in accrued costs and interest.
$10,057.93 in attorney fees.
Bench Warrant Issued: On December 4, 2024, the court ordered Krusemark to provide financial disclosure, but he failed to comply. Court documents showed that the paperwork was filled out for a bench warrant to be issued for his arrest. We are currently in contact with Dakota County Officials to confirm whether that was carried out or not.
Past Civil Legal Incidents Involving Caleb Krusemark
1. Confession of Judgment: Loan Default Case
In a civil case filed in Dakota County, court records show that Caleb Krusemark confessed to owing $22,615.56 to a party due to a defaulted loan agreement. The loan, originally for $5,000, included a 30% payback term and daily late fees of $30 for missed payments. Krusemark failed to make any payments, prompting the party to file suit. As part of the settlement, Krusemark agreed to monthly payments of $628.21 for 36 months starting June 2023.
2. Equipment Loan Dispute: Spray Foam Rig Case
In Carver County, two parties, operating under Quarterly LLC, brought a claim against Krusemark and his business partner for failing to honor a promissory note worth $15,000. The dispute involved the sale of a spray foam rig and related equipment, with payments to be made monthly until a lump sum was due in October 2022. Plaintiffs allege Krusemark returned the equipment in September of 2022 that was damaged and had missing inventory, causing significant financial losses. According to court documents dated December 11, 2023, a promissory note signed by Krusemark held him personally liable. A judgment was issued against Krusemark, holding him responsible for damages, unpaid balances, and repair costs totaling $15,000.
These civil cases reveal an additional pattern of financial disputes involving failed agreements and unpaid debts, adding to the mounting legal challenges faced by Krusemark. As with all cases, charges are allegations, and Krusemark remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Updates will be provided as the case progresses.
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Written by: Will Wight