Men arrested in youth sports solicitation scheme

Two men who are accused of going door-to-door collecting for youth sports and then altering donation checks are in custody in Carson City.

William Knight, 22, and Cody White, 20, have been identified by Douglas County detectives in five separate incidents from January 2009.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, people gave the men money and personal checks, which were then rewritten and cashed for hundreds of dollars.

Sheriff's Public Information Officer Sgt. Jim Halsey said the pair are not affiliated with any charitable organization or youth sports activity in Douglas County.

"It is believed the suspects committed similar incidents in Washoe County, Reno, Carson City and possibly unreported incidents that occurred in Douglas County.

Investigator Jeff Schemenauer, who identified the men as suspects, is seeking any additional information from residents who might have encountered the men.

In Douglas County, door-to-door solicitation of funds for charitable organizations is illegal unless such organization has been issued a solicitation permit from the county.

"Anyone soliciting donations on behalf of that organization shall have evidence of that approved credential while conducting such solicitation, and upon request, are required to display it to any persons solicited or to any law enforcement officer," Sheriff Ron Pierini said.