Man Printed Phony Checks From Bloomfield Apartment

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — An Essex County jury has convicted a 44-year-old man of several charges in connection with a check fraud scheme run out of his apartment in Bloomfield, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

A jury convicted Woody Armand, 44, of Bloomfield of unlawful possession of a handgun, trafficking in personal information, forgery, and unlawful possession of heroin and oxycodone, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office stated.

According to prosecutors, on Nov. 4, 2018, officers of the Bloomfield Police Department and agents of the United States Postal Service executed a search warrant at Armand’s Bloomfield home. There, officers found printing equipment and more than 1,000 blank checks, as well as multiple checks on which he was neither the issuer nor the payee.

Police also found multiple debit cards that did not belong to Armand, 37 decks of heroin and two oxycodone pills. A .40 Smith and Wesson handgun was also found hidden behind a painting in the stairwell, prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, at trial, testimony was introduced that showed Armand was printing fraudulent checks at his residence. These checks would then be deposited in a willing participant’s bank account. The funds would later be withdrawn and split with individuals who were cooperating with the illegal scheme.

Following a three-day trial and three days of jury deliberations, Armand was found guilty on all counts, prosecutors said.

Armand has eight prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a weapon, credit card theft, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, theft by deception, and receiving stolen property. He also has a federal conviction for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, Armand is eligible for an extended term of imprisonment because of his criminal history, which could mean up to 30 years in state prison with 10 years of parole ineligibility. He also faces two additional indictments. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 12.

Prosecutors thanked the Bloomfield Police Department for their assistance with the case.

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