Unmasking a Mail Theft Ring: Three Connecticut Residents Indicted in Elaborate Check Fraud Scheme

Three Connecticut residents are now facing serious federal charges, accused of orchestrating a widespread check fraud scheme that targeted mailboxes across multiple states. Marquise Johnson, 28, and Marquis Winfrey, 26, both of New Haven, alongside Shaiquanna Bethea, 28, of Hamden, were formally indicted by a federal grand jury on charges including conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering.

Authorities allege that between January 2023 and July 2024, this trio engaged in a sophisticated criminal enterprise.

The scheme involved the theft of numerous checks from residential and business mailboxes, not just within Connecticut but also extending into other states. Once stolen, these checks were allegedly altered to reflect new payees and inflated amounts, transforming them into tools for illicit financial gain.

The indictment details how Johnson, Winfrey, and Bethea then recruited various individuals to participate in their illegal operation.

These recruits were tasked with depositing the fraudulently altered checks into their personal bank accounts. Before the financial institutions could detect the fraudulent nature of the deposits, the conspirators would rapidly withdraw the funds, often through ATM transactions or by making purchases.

The U.S.

Attorney's office has underscored the gravity of these charges. If convicted, each count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and bank fraud carries a maximum prison sentence of 30 years. The charge of money laundering, equally severe, could lead to up to 20 years behind bars. These significant penalties reflect the serious disruption and financial harm caused by such schemes to individuals and the banking system.

This major investigation was a collaborative effort, led by the U.S.

Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with invaluable assistance from the Hamden Police Department. U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery commended the diligent work of all agencies involved, emphasizing the commitment to prosecuting those who exploit and defraud the public through such criminal activities.

The accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and their cases will now proceed through the federal judicial system.