'Prolific Check Forger' Based some Operations in Cortlandt: DA

Devante Rainey of 34 Snowden Ave. has been arraigned on a 27-count felony complaint charging him with:

 sixteen counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, class “D” Felonies,

 two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, class “D” Felonies,

 two counts of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, class “D” Felonies,

 two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree: Assume Another’s Identity-Commits or Attempts to Commit a “D” Felony, class “D” Felonies,

 one count of Criminal Possession of Forgery Devices, a class “D” Felony,

 one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a class “E” Felony,

 one count of Tampering With Physical Evidence, a class “E” Felony,

 one count of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a class “E” Felony,

 one count of Identity Theft in the Second Degree: Assume Another’s Identity-Commit or Attempt to Commit a Felony, a class “E” Felony.

Rainey has been the target of a two-year investigation by this office, said Acting Westchester County District Attorney James A. McCarty in Monday's announcement.

Prosecutors alleged the 24-year-old is a prolific check forger.

They described a distinct modus operandi: "it is believed he purchases photographs of co-defendants' payroll checks, then he uses the routing numbers and checking account numbers on those checks to create forged checks using Versacheck small business software.

"He then deposits the checks via mobile deposit into co-conspirators bank accounts, making the fraudulent activity one step removed from him. He uses fictitious payor names and addresses on the checks to further mislead law enforcement," prosecutors said.

In March 2016, search warrants were executed on two premises that Rainey was using as forgery "mills"; Computers, printers, forged checks, and phones were recovered.

Forensic analysis of the phones and computers revealed large scale fraudulent activity, prosecutors alleged. Search warrants were also executed on Rainey's Facebook page that resulted in the recovery of additional evidence.

Rainey was arraigned on these charges in Ossining Village Court on July 12, 2016 and in Cortlandt Town Court on July 18, 2016. He pleaded not guilty. Sent to the Westchester County Jail, his next court date is July 26.

He faces a sentence up to a maximum of seven years in state prison if convicted of all charges.

Assistance in this investigation was provided by the Village of Ossining Police Department, the DA said.

Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Lee of the Investigations Division is prosecuting the case.