Sheriff searches for alleged forger, thief

The Island County Sheriff’s Office seeks the public’s help to find a man who allegedly committed several counts of theft, identity theft and forgery.

According to Island County Sheriff Detective Mark Plumberg, the man the sheriff’s office is trying to find is James Albert McDowell is also known by an alias of Fredric Lee Diller. He is wanted in connection with multiple alleged counts of theft by color or aid of deception, identity theft and forgery. Two of five alleged victims are residents of Island County.

Plumberg said McDowell is known to have family and friends in the area, and has been a resident of South Whidbey for many years. The sheriff’s office believes he might have changed his identity and left the area within the past month, having been familiar resident since the late 1980s or early 1990s.

“He’s been a pretty consistent resident here,” he said.

According to Plumberg, McDowell’s bail is set at $1 million, largely in part because he is believed to be carrying a large amount of cash. By setting the bail high, Plumberg hopes McDowell will be prevented from posting bail and leaving the area again.

The Island County Sheriff’s Office and the Washington State Gambling Commission have issued information bulletins to help locate McDowell. Plumberg said McDowell seems to be a dedicated poker player, who has often played cards in Everett.

McDowell is thought by law enforcement to have worked in the construction field, particularly in non-residential grading, paving and landscaping jobs. His friendly demeanor allowed him to meet and befriend many people, Plumberg said.

“He just had a way of making people trust him and become his friend,” he said.

Plumberg said the sheriff’s office is particularly seeking people who have seen or made contact with McDowell since Dec. 5, 2004. People who feel they might have been a victim of McDowell are also urged to call the sheriff’s office.

McDowell is described as a white male, blue eyes and brown hair. He is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs approximately 195 pounds. Plumberg said he has allegedly obtained driver’s licenses in Washington and California using his aliases of James Albert McDowell and Fredric Lee Diller, and using two different birthdays..

Anyone with information about McDowell is asked to call the Island County Sheriff Office tip line at 360-679-7319.

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