Missouri Man Extradited To CT Face Branford Police Wire Fraud Case: BPD

BRANFORD, CT — A months-long investigation by the Branford Police Department has led to the arrest and extradition of a Missouri man accused of orchestrating a fraudulent wire transfer scheme that stole more than $350,000 from a Branford-based company, police said.

In May 2024, a fraudulent wire transfer of $355,859 was obtained that belonged to a finance company headquartered in Branford, according to police. The funds were initially deposited into an account under a fictitious name and eventually traced to a personal JP Morgan Chase account belonging to Shawn Evans, 57, of Sikeston, Missouri, police said.

"With assistance from the Scott County Sheriff’s Office in Benton, Missouri, Branford Detectives located Evans and conducted a joint investigation connecting Evans to participating in a larger fraud scheme," police said.

Branford police secured an arrest warrant for Evans on charges of Larceny in the First Degree and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the First Degree, and the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office approved the warrant for extradition, they said.

Evans was arrested on June 20 in Sikeston, Missouri, as a Fugitive from Justice and held on a $500,000 bond and later waived his right to an extradition hearing, police said.

On July 1, Branford Detectives transported Evans back to Connecticut, where he was processed and formally charged. He was arraigned in New Haven Superior Court on July 2.

"This case highlights the increasing complexity of financial crimes that span multiple states and utilize digital currencies," police said. "We are grateful for the cooperation of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and the support of the New Haven State’s Attorney’s Office throughout this investigation. A significant portion of the stolen money located in JPMorgan Chase accounts has been recovered and returned to the victim company."