Traffic Stop Leads to Fraud, Forgery Charges for Gwinnett Man

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A traffic stop for an illegal turn resulted in felony forgery charges for a Gwinnett County man.

Gwinnett Police said in a news release that Willie Lamont Hicks was stopped around 3:10 p.m. Thursday, March 12 for the traffic violation on Duluth Highway near Meadow Church Road.

The subsequent investigation indicated Hicks could be connected to multiple fraudulent transaction cases, police said.

During the traffic stop, police said Hicks refused to give the officer his license and claimed “he had highly confidential documents” in his car and was employed by a federal agency.

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Hicks finally gave the officer an “international permit” and a driver’s license from the Philippines, according to police.

The officer found Hicks was wanted on an outstanding warrant through Norcross PD and he was arrested. He also was cited for having a fake temporary license plate and not having insurance. But there was more.

“As a result of the traffic stop, the officers found that Hicks was in possession of multiple fraudulent IDs, a complete ‘information kit’ on how to conduct fraudulent scams, and was currently the subject of crimes involving fraudulent transactions,” Gwinnett Police spokesperson Cpl. Michele Pihera said in the news release. “Members of the White Collar Unit had felony warrants for Hicks and were attempting to locate him.

Further investigation indicated Hicks might be involved in several fraudulent transactions “involving cars, apartments, businesses and the federal government.”

Hicks, a Duluth resident according to jail records, was charged with first degree forgery, financial identity fraud (two counts), false identification documents, no drivers license, failute to obey signs or control devices, no proof of insurance and failure to appear.

Additional charges are possible.

(Photo: Willie Lamont Hicks. Gwinnett County Jail mug shot)