CARMEL, NEW YORK – March 20, 2025 – Putnam County District Attorney Robert V. Tendy announced that Poughkeepsie resident, Tahmel Gordon, was sentenced to State prison on March 14. Gordon was previously found guilty by a Putnam Jury on January 16, 2025, of attempting to steal thousands of dollars by cashing fraudulent checks. Gordon, 29, was convicted of two counts of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class E felony, and four counts of Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a class D felony.

On November 20, 2023, Gordon drove himself and three accomplices from Poughkeepsie to Putnam County to cash fraudulent, or “washed” checks, at two different Hudson Valley Credit Union locations. The bank tellers at each location identified the checks as having been “washed,” or processed in a manner that washes away the original ink so that, in this case, Gordon and his cohorts could write their names on the checks as the payee for large amounts. Two of the checks were written for $7,600 and $8,700, and both intended victims were senior citizens. The bank tellers contacted law enforcement, and Gordon was taken into custody at the Carmel branch location.

Once in custody, police recovered additional washed checks from the center console of Gordon’s rental car, as well as two cellular telephones. A forensic analysis of these cell phones revealed that in the days leading up to his arrest, Gordon conducted numerous internet searches for different bank branches and locations throughout the Hudson Valley, as well as the names of the individuals whose checks he was found in possession of.

Putnam County District Attorney

Twelve witnesses testified at the two-week long trial, including the bank tellers, civilian victims, and members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators from the Sheriff’s office worked for months on phone data information, cell tower information, car rental information, and more. “The forensic work by the Sheriff’s investigators was fantastic,” Tendy said. “Not only was the apprehension of the defendant done very professionally, but the follow-up gathering of crucial evidence was very important in securing the conviction. We were able to prove he was the mastermind behind the operation.”

Gordon, having two prior felony convictions, faced a maximum of 3 ½ to 7 years in state prison on each Possession of a Forged Instrument charge and a maximum of 2 to 4 years in state prison on each Attempted Grand Larceny charge. First Assistant District Attorney Breanne Smith argued at sentencing that Gordon deserved the maximum sentence, reminding the Court that the checks were found in his car, information on his victims were found in his cell phone search history; the bank locations that he drove to were found in his cell phone search history with GPS and mapping information of the areas. One of Gordon’s intended victims was an 82 year old man from whom Gordon attempted to steal $8,700 dollars.

Although the District Attorney’s office requested the maximum sentence for the three-time felon, Judge Joseph Spofford sentenced Gordon to the minimum: 1 ½ to 3 years state prison on each Attempted Grand Larceny charge and 3 to 6 years state prison on each Possession of a Forged Instrument charge, all to run concurrently.

“Unfortunately, financial crimes and schemes to defraud are on the rise in New York State, not just in Putnam.” Tendy urges all, especially those who insist on paying all their bills by mailed check, to be very careful. “Don’t put your mailed checks in your mailbox for pickup. Bring the envelope directly to the post office. Criminals often steal the contents of a mailbox when they see the flag up for a pickup. Check your accounts at least three or four times a week if you have internet access. This will help you spot any discrepancies or thefts.”

The Putnam County District Attorney’s Office thanks the members of law enforcement who worked tirelessly to investigate this case and assist in the successful prosecution of a career criminal. The Office would also like to thank the members of the community who served as jurors for listening diligently to the evidence, partaking in deliberations and producing an ultimately just result.

The case was prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Breanne Smith and Assistant District Attorney Luciana Savone.

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