Dutchess Man Gets Prison In Sophisticated Check-Washing Scam In Putnam

CARMEL, NY — A Poughkeepsie man has been sentenced in connection to a complex scheme to "wash" and forge checks.

Putnam County District Attorney Robert V. Tendy announced that 29-year-old Tahmel Gordon, of Poughkeepsie, was sentenced to prison last week after previously being found guilty by a jury of attempting to steal thousands of dollars by cashing fraudulent checks. He was convicted of two counts of felony third-degree attempted grand larceny and four counts of felony second-degree possession of a forged instrument.

SEE ALSO: 'Guilty,' Jury Convicts Dutchess Man In 'Check Washing' Scam

Gordon was arrested on November 20, 2023, after the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and the Carmel Police Department found that Gordon and three others traveled to the Hudson Valley Credit Union branch in Mahopac, and to the Hudson Valley Credit Union branch in Carmel, where they tried to cash forged checks. Bank tellers and members of law enforcement determined that the checks had been "washed," and were written in the amounts of $8,700 and $7,600.

Once in custody, police found additional washed checks in the center console of Gordon's rental car, as well as two cellphones. A forensic analysis of the phones showed that in the days leading up to his arrest, Gordon conducted several online searches for different bank branches and locations throughout the Hudson Valley, as well as for the names of the people whose checks he was found to be in possession of.

Twelve witnesses testified at the two-week trial, including bank tellers, victims, and members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. Investigators from the office worked for months on phone data information, cell tower information, car rental information, and more.

"The forensic work by the Sheriff's investigators was fantastic," Tendy said. "Not only was the apprehension of the defendant done very professionally, but the follow-up gathering of crucial evidence was very important in securing the conviction. We were able to prove he was the mastermind behind the operation."

Gordon, who has two prior felony convictions, faced a maximum of three-and-a-half to seven years in state prison on each possession of a forged instrument charge and a maximum of two to four years in state prison on each attempted grand larceny charge.

First Assistant District Attorney Breanne Smith argued at sentencing that Gordon deserved the maximum sentence, reminding the court that the checks were found in his car, information on his victims was found in his phone's search history; and the bank locations that he drove to were found in his phone search history with GPS and mapping information of the areas. In addition, one of Gordon's intended victims was an 82-year-old man from whom Gordon tried to steal $8,700 dollars.

Judge Joseph Spofford sentenced Gordon to one-and-a-half to three years state prison on each attempted grand larceny charge and three to six years in state prison on each possession of a forged instrument charge, all to run concurrently.

"Unfortunately, financial crimes and schemes to defraud are on the rise in New York State, not just in Putnam," Tendy said. "Don’t put your mailed checks in your mailbox for pickup. Bring the envelope directly to the post office. Criminals often steal the contents of a mailbox when they see the flag up for a pickup. Check your accounts at least three or four times a week if you have internet access. This will help you spot any discrepancies or thefts."

The Putnam County DA's Office thanked the members of law enforcement who investigated this case and assisted in the successful prosecution of Gordon. The office also thanked the jurors for listening to the evidence, taking part in deliberations and coming up with a just result.