A routine traffic stop in Fayetteville last week may have kept several unknowing citizens from around the country from being defrauded.

According to reports, a deputy was patrolling near McCurry Park March 8 at about 10:44 p.m. when he spotted a car parked inside the park. The vehicle was deemed suspicious since McCurry Park is closed at sundown by county ordinance.

Seeing that it was occupied, the deputy approached simply to let the people inside know that the park was closed. He was able to smell an odor of marijuana inside the car, in which a male and female were seated, and further investigation revealed much more.

In conversation with the male occupant, who gave a false name at first, the deputy eventually learned his real identity and arrested him on a long list of charges.

Ekemini Enefiok Essienumoh, 40, from Hampton, has been charged with charged with manufacture and possession of a false identification, giving a false name to an officer, obstruction, three counts of financial identity fraud, and two counts of financial transaction card theft.

The suspect had in his possession several identities and credit cards with other people’s names from various states. An FCSO spokesman said his bond is $41,000.

The female occupant was released with no charges and drove away in the vehicle, which actually belongs to her.