FRANKLIN—A Chesapeake man arrested this month for alleged fake land deals has an extensive criminal history in Western Tidewater.

Southampton County Circuit Court records show Linwood Eugene Turner Sr.’s convictions include petty larceny, fraud, passing bad checks, curse and abuse, failure to return rental property, driving on a suspended license, selling property under lien and speeding.

According to the Virginia Courts Case Information Web site, Turner’s convictions resulted in more than 2½ years behind bars for the former Franklin businessman.

“We’ve been having dealings with Mr. Turner since 1983,” said Lt. Tim Whitt, spokesman for Franklin Police Department. “He definitely has a lengthy criminal record.”

Turner, 44, faces multiple counts of forgery and obtaining money under false pretense in Chesapeake, where police allege he received at least $100,000 from people who thought they were purchasing property from him.

Police said Turner wrote contracts and took deposits without authority to sell property in Southampton, Isle of Wight, Sussex and Surry counties and the city of Suffolk.

Turner is scheduled for arraignment in Chesapeake General District Court next week.