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GREENSBORO — The alleged ringleader of a massive and elaborate counterfeit check ring that plagued area businesses during the past two years was indicted Tuesday by a Guilford County grand jury.

Tony Lamont Harris was indicted on seven counts of forgery, two counts of trafficking stolen identities and two counts of being a habitual felon.

Harris, 41, of 2000 Gramercy Park Drive, was arrested by Greensboro police in July along with several associates who were accused of defrauding dozens of area businesses of more than $50,000 in 2008 and 2009.

An investigation revealed that Harris was allegedly using a room at the Oaks Motel on Summit Avenue to make fake checks belonging to numerous area banks and local businesses.

Detectives believe he paid various people for their check stubs, in which he would digitally copy and produce fraudulent checks with valid account numbers.

He then allegedly paid associates stipends to cash the checks and return the proceeds. He also is accused of buying and selling driver’s licenses and other personal information to fuel the scheme.

Harris remains in jail on a $75,000 bond.

Other indictments included:

* Darryl Bathalius Blue, 37, of 2019 Opal Drive. Blue was indicted on two counts of first-degree rape, eight counts of statutory rape, six counts of first-degree sex offense and one count each of kidnapping and extortion.

Court documents indicate Blue and an unidentified codefendant are accused of brutally raping a young teenage girl multiple times in July 2008.

Blue allegedly threatened to have the girl murdered by gang members if she told anyone about the incidents. He was arrested in October following an investigation by the Greensboro Police Department. Blue, who is a registered sex offender, is being held on bonds totaling more than $300,000 at the Guilford County jail in Greensboro.

* Steven Anthony Hyler, 18, of 3129 Huffine Mill Road, McLeansville.

Hyler was indicted on charges of first-degree arson, burning of personal property and malicious use of an explosive device.

Hyler is accused of setting fire his brother’s mobile home at the same address on Dec. 10.

Court records indicate Jeremy Hyler woke up to smoke and flames inside his home and attempted to put out the blaze.

As the brother, Jeremy Hyler, tried to leave, Steven Hyler allegedly tried to stop him. The brothers fought and Jeremy Hyler escaped.

When deputies arrived, Steven Hyler ran into the woods and was apprehended, records state.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com