GALLIPOLIS — A Crown City man was recently charged with seven counts of forgery, one count of theft and one count of the misuse of a credit card after he allegedly forged checks and other information in the name of an elderly Gallia County couple.

Dwight D. Woodyard, 24, was arraigned last week during a hearing in the Gallia County Common Pleas Court and charged with forging three checks belonging to a 66-year-old woman on November 16, 17 and 27. Woodyard also allegedly misused the victim’s credit card between October 22 and November 26, 2012, on property or services valued at more than $1,000 and less than $7,500.

Woodyard also allegedly forged a check belonging to a 69-year-old man on November 26 and stole a riding lawn mower belonging to the same victim between October 1 and November 21, 2012.

The defendant also allegedly forged debit card transaction receipts — a debit card belonging to a third victim — on November 28, 29 and 30.

According to the police report filed in relation to this case, the total amount taken from the elderly couple’s accounts totals $1,998. The riding lawn mower is valued at $1,294.

All the charges in this case are felonies of the fifth degree.

During his hearing on December 17, Woodyard pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

The defendant was ordered to have no contact with the victims in this case or their property.

A plea agreement in this case may be filed by March 25, 2013. A jury trial has been scheduled for April 25, 2013.

Also recently arraigned in the Gallia County Common Pleas Court was Lora B. Childress, 34, Bidwell, on one felony DUI charge and a charge of tampering with evidence.

According to the indictment filed in this case, Childress was pulled over for driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs of abuse or both on December 4, 2012, and has been convicted of three prior driving under the influence charges in the Gallipolis Municipal Court, a fourth degree felony. The three prior offenses occurred in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

In relation to her tampering with evidence charge, Childress allegedly dumped her urine sample into the toilet, dropped the tube in the toilet and put toilet water in the sample tube on December 4, a third degree felony.

During her arraignment on December 20, Childress’ bond was set at $25,000 own recognizance. She later posted bond for her release.

A jury trial in this case has been set for May 6, 2013. A plea agreement may be filed on April 5, 2013.