By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Rowan authorities charged two people with fraud after bank officials said they made fake deposits into an account and withdrew the money from automated teller machines. One of those charged is the son of the victim, officials said.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office charged Dylan Thomas O’Brien, 24, of the 300 block of North Salisbury Avenue, Granite Quarry, with eight counts of felony obtaining property by false pretenses and Johnny Ray Blackwelder Jr., 25, of the 100 block of Dixon Drive, with one count of felony obtaining property by false pretenses.

A fraud investigator with F&M Bank said on Aug. 6 someone made four deposits into two separate ATMs into an account belonging to Dawn Holder O’Brien. The next day, bank employees received empty deposit envelopes.

Dawn Holder O’Brien said she’d given her debit card to her son, Dylan O’Brien, to make a purchase for her at a store. Officials say Dylan went to F&M Bank at 102 Avalon Drive and used the debit card six times, each time depositing an empty envelope and making a withdrawal.

Dylan O’Brien and Blackwelder were seen on surveillance video at an ATM at 218 N. Salisbury Ave., Granite Quarry. The total amount of the fraudulent deposits was $1,000, with $440 withdrawn from the account.

Blackwelder remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond while Dylan O’Brien was released from the Rowan County jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

O’Brien was convicted of possession of drug paraphernalia. Blackwelder was convicted of misdemeanor marijuana possession and a number of traffic infractions including driving while license revoked and violating vehicle registration.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.