Marijuana arrest leads to conviction in $2M Myrtle Beach check fraud scheme
A Florida man pleaded guilty Monday to stealing more than $2 million worth of checks in Myrtle Beach last year.
Willie Bernard Perry, 25, pled guilty to receiving goods with a value of $10,000 or more, conspiracy and three counts of third or subsequent offense of receiving stolen goods, according to a news release from the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.
Myrtle Beach Police officers initially arrested Perry and his co-defendant, Devonte Dawkins, over marijuana use outside a Myrtle Beach hotel. Following their arrests, investigators say they connected them to a stolen check scheme in July 2025 where more than 1,200 checks had been stolen, according to the release.
“This was one of the largest stolen check investigations in Horry County,” Senior Assistant Solicitor George DeBusk said in the release. “We are happy this defendant admitted his guilt and took responsibility for his role in the scheme”
Perry was sentenced to seven years in prison on each of the receiving stolen goods counts and five years in prison for the conspiracy charge. All sentences will run concurrently. As a part of his guilty plea, 105 warrants were dismissed in the case.
Charges are still pending for Dawkins, according to the release.
This story was originally published June 15, 2026 at 4:11 PM.
