Two men arrested in Yancey after traffic stop reveals stolen IDs and fake checks
BURNSVILLE, NC — A standard traffic stop in Yancey County quickly escalated into a major identity theft investigation, resulting in the arrests of two Georgia men wanted in multiple states and the seizure of fraudulent documents and counterfeit checks.
The stop, initiated by the North Carolina Highway Patrol, led to the discovery that one of the vehicle’s occupants was a wanted individual. Highway Patrol then contacted the Yancey County Sheriff’s Office, which deployed a K-9 team and detectives to assist.
A search of the vehicle uncovered drug paraphernalia along with forged documents, multiple stolen identities, and counterfeit financial instruments linked to crimes in several states.
David Gary Teague, 67, of Jasper, Georgia, was charged with 16 counts of Forgery of Endorsement, 11 counts of Identity Theft, two counts of Possessing Five Counterfeit Instruments, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He is being held on a $1,000,500 bond at the Yancey County Detention Center.
Malik Jay Cisneros, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia, faces identical forgery and identity theft charges but does not face the drug-related count. Cisneros, held on a $1 million bond, is also awaiting extradition to Georgia for outstanding warrants.
Sheriff Shane Hilliard credited interagency collaboration for the arrests, calling the case a “strong example” of cooperation between the Highway Patrol and Sheriff’s Office. The investigation remains active and additional charges are expected.
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Key Points
- Two Georgia men were arrested in Yancey County on over two dozen forgery and identity theft charges
- A K-9 search during a traffic stop uncovered fraudulent documents, counterfeit checks, and drug paraphernalia
- One suspect faces extradition to Georgia; both are held on bonds exceeding $1 million
