CARMEL, N.Y. — Tahmel Gordon, a 29-year-old man from Poughkeepsie, has been convicted of passing “washed” checks, a scam where criminals chemically alter checks to remove the original ink and replace it with fake information in an attempt to steal money from the account holder. Gordon was convicted by a Putnam County jury on two counts of third-degree attempted grand larceny, four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, and one count of fifth-degree conspiracy.
Gordon’s arrest followed an investigation led by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Carmel Police Department. On November 20, 2023, Gordon and three others traveled from Poughkeepsie to Hudson Valley Credit Union branches in Mahopac and Carmel Hamlet, where they attempted to cash forged checks. The checks, which had been “washed” and altered, were written for amounts of $8,700 and $7,600. Gordon was apprehended at the scene, where law enforcement found him in possession of four additional fraudulent checks.
Evidence presented during Gordon’s trial revealed that in the days leading up to his arrest, he had planned the thefts. He conducted internet searches on bank locations and the names of the account holders and sent text messages indicating his intent to carry out the scam on the day of his arrest.
DA Robert Tendy commented on the rise of check fraud schemes in the area, stating that criminals often steal checks from mailboxes, “wash” the amount, and alter the details to request thousands of dollars. He noted that these crimes often target senior citizens and vowed to prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.
The case was investigated by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and Carmel Police Department, with significant assistance from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Digital Forensic Unit, which helped gather key evidence that led to Gordon’s conviction. Justice Joseph Spofford oversaw the trial, which lasted one week, and sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2024.
First Assistant District Attorney Breanne Smith and Assistant District Attorney Luciana Savone prosecuted the case.
