So-called ‘Raytown Romeo’ charged with fraud … again

​Ryan S. Blevins of Raytown has been charged with felony forgery by Jackson County after allegedly charming $900 out of a girlfriend in trade for a check from a closed account.

Angela K. Burton, Blevin’s alleged victim, became suspicious after discovering Blevins had a history of convincing women to give him money in questionable agreements, swindling nearly two dozen women before 2004.

According to court documents, the 33-year-old Blevins and Burton were dating only a short while before he mentioned having car trouble. Blevins claimed a family member gave him a check for $900 to pay for the repairs, but he didn’t have a checking account to cash it. He allegedly asked Burton if she would deposit it in her account, then withdraw the money and give it to him, which she did.

Once Blevins got the money, he allegedly disappeared — and Burton found out the check was worthless. Police reports say the name on the check, Clarence D. Pool, was actually the name of a dead man bearing no relation to Blevins. The check may have been stolen.

Burton claimed she resisted cashing the check for Blevins, but he wore her down over a number of days and was “a very smooth talker.” He should be considering all the practice.

After she started checking him out, Burton told police she found information on KMBC’s Web site reporting that Blevins was sentenced in federal court in May 2004 for ripping off 22 women of at least $90,000. KMBC dubbed him the “Raytown Romeo,” and it looks like an apt name.

After discovering the story, Burton called the cops. Blevins is being held on a cash-only bond of $50,000.