(WNY News Now) – ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A Rochester man has been sentenced to federal prison for his role in a multi-victim financial fraud conspiracy involving stolen U.S. Postal Service checks.
Sheldon Marquis Adams, 26, of Rochester, New York, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, according to federal prosecutors.
The sentence was imposed by Chief U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Wolford.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced the sentencing, which stems from a fraud scheme operating between March 2023 and September 29, 2023.
Fraud scheme involving stolen mail checks
According to investigators, Adams conspired with others to steal hundreds of checks from U.S. Postal Service blue collection boxes in the Rochester area. The checks were then altered or forged to obtain money from victim bank accounts.
Authorities said Adams used social media platforms to recruit individuals willing to deposit or cash the stolen checks. Once funds were withdrawn before banks detected the fraud, participants would return the money to members of the conspiracy in exchange for small payments.
On September 29, 2023, Adams was found in possession of approximately 335 stolen checks and 15 pages of blank check stock paper. Some of the checks had been chemically altered using acetone in an attempt to erase original information and rewrite payee details.
Victims and financial impact
Federal prosecutors said the scheme impacted approximately 227 individual victims and 36 businesses, in addition to financial institutions affected by the fraud. The total value of stolen and altered checks amounted to approximately $516,912.17.
Investigation and prosecution
The investigation was conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the United States Postal Inspection Service, the New York State Police, the Amherst Police Department, and the Rochester Police Department.
Officials said the coordinated effort helped dismantle the fraud operation tied to stolen mail and altered financial instruments.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford prosecuted the case.
Leave a Reply