MEMPHIS, TN -
(WMC-TV) – A Memphis man wants his good name cleared after it was stolen and dragged through the mud. It's a case of identity theft that cost an innocent man time in the county jail.
Courtney Hailey enjoys his freedom now more than ever after a recent stay in the Shelby County Jail.
"A word to describe this whole thing, it would be ‘embarrassing,'" he said.
In January, Hailey was charged with theft of property after he was accused of stealing $3,700.55-cents by faking several time sheets and forging the signatures of two different supervisors.
The crime happened at the Kroger distribution plant where he'd been placed by Staff Runner Staffing, a local employment service.
But there's one problem.
Hailey has never been employed by Staff Runner. Nor has he ever stepped foot in the Kroger distribution plant.
Now, investigators believe someone stole Hailey's identity and used all his information to get the job.
The charges against Hailey were dropped.
"It was such a relief," Hailey said.
But by the time the charges were dropped, Haley had spent 10 days and nights locked up at 201 Poplar.
"You're caged in," he said. "You're behind bars. It's just awful. I'm one of those guys that want to do the right thing and I don't belong in a place like that."
But investigators say Andrew Crutcher does belong behind bars.
He's wanted for stealing Kroger's payroll money and Hailey's identity.
But Hailey says he's not bitter.
"If he were to walk up to me right now, I'd just shake his hand and say ‘I forgive you for doing it,'" Hailey said.
He said he feels that way because holding a grudge gets in the way of enjoying his freedom.
Hailey said he doesn't know Andrew Crutcher.
There is a warrant out for Crutcher's arrest.
Copyright 2012 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.
A Memphis man wants his good name cleared after it was stolen and dragged through the mud. It's a case of identity theft that cost an innocent man time in the county jail.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WMCTV, a Raycom Media Station. 