4 Arrested In Scheme To Steal From School District: Police

CRAWFORD, NY — Four suspects from across the region have been arrested in an organized check-washing scheme that targeted a Hudson Valley school district, according to police.

In November, the Pine Bush School District reported that several of their checks had been altered, prompting a police investigation. Following an internal audit by the district and Crawford Police Department detectives, it was discovered that nearly $50,000 worth of checks were stolen from the mail and deposited into several bank accounts by multiple people.

After an investigation, Crawford detectives identified and arrested four defendants in Sullivan County, Westchester County, and New York City.

Joseph Irving, 36, of Mount Vernon, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

Shawna Richardson, 23, of Rock Hill, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

Nayanti Brown, 20, of Manhattan, was charged with forgery, possession of forged instrument, grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

Delroy White, 45, of the Bronx, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.

The Town of Crawford Police Department was assisted by the Pine Bush Central School District, the Orange County White Collar Crime Task Force, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Mount Pleasant Police Department, th New York City Police Department, the Hudson Valley Crime Analysis Center, and the Orange County District Attorney's Office in this investigation and the resulting arrests.

Anyone with information about the case is being urged to contact Town of Crawford police at 845-744-3300.