Buncombe County Man, 19, Charged With Nine New Felonies; Police Seek Victims

Detectives with the Asheville Police Department filed nine additional felony charges against 19-year-old Masieuh Dewayne Morgan after a follow-up investigation, expanding an already large fraud case that has local residents and businesses on alert. The new counts, reported Jan. 16, include identity theft, conspiracy, aiding and abetting obtaining property by false pretenses, accessing computers to commit fraud, trafficking stolen identities, possession or manufacture of fraudulent identification, common law forgery and related offenses.

Morgan had been arrested Jan. 3 on 25 open felony warrants tied to fraud, and officers recovered a stolen firearm during that arrest. After his release on bond, investigators said they developed evidence prompting the fresh charges and asked anyone who believes they were victimized to contact the Asheville Police Department. Detectives indicated additional victims may exist, signaling the probe is ongoing.

The expanded indictment underscores the reach and economic consequences of identity-related crimes in Buncombe County. Identity theft and computer-based fraud can produce direct financial losses for individuals and small businesses, create administrative burdens for banks and merchants, and clog court dockets as prosecutors build complex cases. For residents, the practical fallout can include frozen accounts, disputed charges, and damaged credit histories that take months to repair.

Local law enforcement resources are stretched when cases involve multiple alleged victims and cross-system fraud techniques. Each additional victim typically requires separate interviews, records requests, and forensic review of digital evidence, adding to investigative time and public expense. The discovery of a stolen firearm during the initial arrest also raises public safety concerns beyond financial harm.

For community members, the immediate implications are twofold: anyone who suspects their identity or accounts were misused in recent months should review financial statements and consider free credit monitoring or fraud alerts through their banks, and anyone with information related to Morgan’s alleged activities should contact APD so detectives can identify and assist potential victims. The department’s appeal for witnesses suggests investigators may expand charges further if more evidence or victims emerge.

As this case proceeds through the legal system, prosecutors will decide which counts to pursue at trial. For now, the filings signal aggressive investigative action by APD and a reminder that fraud can have wide-ranging effects in a midsize county like Buncombe. Residents should stay vigilant, monitor accounts, and watch for updates as detectives continue their inquiry.