Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 25, 2021, Karl Scheufler, 50, of Toms River, was charged with Attempted Theft by Deception, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4 and N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1a(1); and two counts of Contempt in violation of N.J.S.A 2C:29-9.

An investigation was launched by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad. It was revealed that between May 22, 2021 and August 8, 2021, Scheufler attempted to negotiate three checks totaling $687,499.74 for his own benefit. These checks were drawn on an Ocean First bank account belonging to a business that were connected to Scheufler in his past. Scheufler negotiated these checks knowing that he was not an authorized signor for the business account and attempted to deposit these checks into his personal account and another unrelated business account. In 2018, the Honorable Francis R. Hodgson Jr., P.J. Ch.P., issued an order barring Scheufler from conducting business transactions on behalf of the business. The two Contempt charges are a result of Scheufler violating Judge Hodgson’s order.

On August 25, 2021 an arrest warrant was executed at Scheufler’s residence in Toms River Township where detective’s apprehended Scheufler without incident. Scheufler was processed at the Toms River Police Department and is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Prosecutor Billhimer would like to acknowledge the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, Toms River Township Detective Bureau and the Toms River Township Police Department for their collaborative efforts in this investigation.