PALM BEACH, FLORIDA — An Augusta man who was arrested Tuesday in Florida for allegedly attempting to cash two forged checks under false identities told police he was recruited to do so by people in Maine, according to an affidavit.

Shawn Willette, 43, of Jefferson Street, was arrested on charges of forgery: uttering a forged check, fraudulent use of the personal identification of another person and unauthorized possession of a driver’s license. Each charge has a bond of $5,000.

The probable cause affidavit alleges that Willette attempted to cash a $3,500 check Saturday, Nov. 2 under someone else’s name, but the account was flagged for fraud and Willette could not answer the security questions. Willette went to the bank a second time Tuesday with different identification and attempted to withdraw money in the amount of $3,700 using a different person’s name, which was when the bank tellers called the police.

Law enforcement responded Tuesday to Fifth Third Bank in Palm Beach after Willette’s alleged second attempt to withdraw money.

When Willette was arrested he said he was recruited by individuals in Maine to withdraw money in Florida in order to receive 10% of what was withdrawn. Once the job was completed, the individuals would collect the IDs back, he said.

Investigators interviewed both men whose driver’s licenses Willette allegedly attempted to use, and both said they never gave permission for anyone to withdraw money from their bank accounts or use their identification. Both men said they would prosecute, the affidavit says.

Willette had his first appearance in court Wednesday and his initial case conference is Jan. 2.