DETROIT (AP) - Federal agents say a Detroit ex-convict has admitted creating phony U.S. Postal Service checks that were cashed for more than $100,000.

A criminal complaint signed by a Postal Service investigator says Christopher Townes made counterfeit checks after paying people to make copies of their legitimate paychecks. The court filing says the scheme lasted more than a year, and Townes would keep a third of the profit.

Townes appeared in Detroit federal court Monday and was released on bond. No attorney is listed yet.

Townes runs a tire shop in Detroit and has an extensive criminal record. During a recent search of the business, investigators found printers, computers and paper to make checks.

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