Two Men Plead Guilty to Phony Check Scheme

Two men pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to taking part in a check fraud ring that saw more than $100,000 in phony checks cashed across banks in Connecticut.

Benjii Carr, aka Rodrick Lawon Davis, 39 of New Haven and North Carolina and Langston Xavier Neal, 37, of Charlotte, North Carolina pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between July 2010 and May 2011 the two obtained stolen checks, recruited “runners” to cash checks and drove them to bank branches throughout Connecticut, said Tom Carson, spokesman for the United States District Attorney for the District of Connecticut Office.

A total of 39 checks totalling more than $114,000 were altered and 37 of them were cashed for more than $104,000.

Brandon Key Bentley, 31, of New Haven pleaded guilty to the same count in September.

Each of the men faces a maximum prison term of 30 years and a fine of up to $1 million.

This matter has been investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, along with the Connecticut Financial Fraud Task Force and the Branford, Madison, Middlebury, Milford, New Britain, New Haven, New Milford, North Branford, Waterbury, Woodbridge and Southbury Police Departments. U.S Attorney Daly also acknowledged the cooperation and assistance of the State’s Attorney’s Offices for the Judicial Districts of New Haven, Waterbury, Fairfield and Tolland. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Henry K. Kopel.

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