NAPOLEONVILLE, La. — A Chalmette man has been arrested in connection with a fraudulent check scheme that allegedly resulted in more than $4,000 being stolen from an Assumption Parish business in 2023.
Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reported the arrest of Nelson Encalade III, 50, of 521 East Prosper St. in Chalmette, on multiple felony financial crime charges stemming from an investigation that began in October 2023.
According to the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office, detectives responded to a complaint at a Belle Rose business on Nov. 2, 2023, after the business reported that fraudulent and altered checks had been used to withdraw funds from its checking account.
During the investigation, detectives determined that two fraudulent checks, made to resemble checks used by the business, were cashed at two financial institutions on the same day in October 2023. Authorities said the scheme resulted in a total loss of $4,170.21.
Detectives obtained evidence from a financial institution that identified Encalade as the suspect, according to the sheriff’s office. Following the investigation, felony arrest warrants were obtained for Encalade.
Encalade was arrested by the New Orleans Police Department on July 29, 2026, on unrelated local charges. On Sept. 4, he was released to the custody of the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center.
Encalade faces the following charges:
- Two counts of bank fraud
- Identity theft
- Two counts of access device fraud
- Two counts of forgery
- Theft valued at $4,170.21
- Monetary instrument abuse
Encalade remained incarcerated pending a bond hearing, according to the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office.
As with all criminal allegations, the charges are accusations, and Encalade is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
