Pennsylvania Man Admits Cashing More Than $70,000 in Counterfeit Checks at Connecticut Banks

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that DAVID DUPEE, also known as “Joshua Smellie,” “Luther Johnson,” and “Tahari Watkins,” 41, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty today before United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz in New Haven to one count of bank fraud stemming from a counterfeit check cashing scheme.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between approximately June 2004 to June 2007, DUPEE cashed counterfeit checks at banks throughout central Connecticut. The counterfeit checks, which ranged in amounts between $550 and $1000, appeared to be payroll checks from various Connecticut businesses and municipalities. The checks had the actual bank account numbers of the entities that purportedly issued the check, and DUPEE cashed the checks at the banks that held the accounts upon which the checks were purportedly drawn. The counterfeit checks were made out in the names of aliases for which DUPEE had obtained false Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles identification, and DUPEE used that false identification at the banks in order to complete the fraudulent transactions.

Through this scheme, DUPEE defrauded banks of more than $70,000.

Judge Kravitz has scheduled sentencing for October 25, 2010, at which time DUPEE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a fine of up to $1,000,000. He also will be ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $76,219.

DUPEE has been detained in federal custody since February 11, 2010.

This matter is being investigated by the United States Secret Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The Federal Bureau of Investigation also assisted in the investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David T. Huang and Anastasia Enos King.