Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney’s Office
District of Connecticut
Monday, Aug. 25, 2014
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Deirdre M. Daly, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, todayannounced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a 13-count indictment charging DAYQUAN JACKSON, 26, of Bridgeport, and ERIC WATKINS, 25, of Stratford, with theft of mail, mail fraud, bank fraud, and conspiracy in connection with a stolen check scheme. The indictment was returned on Aug. 20, 2014. JACKSON and WATKINS were arrested and presented on Aug. 22, 2014, at which time the indictment was unsealed, JACKSON was ordered detained in federal custody, and WATKINS was released on a set of conditions.
According to the indictment, the scheme arose out of the theft of mail by JACKSON and others from residences in Fairfield County throughout 2013 and 2014, the purpose of which was to obtain either blank checks or credit card “convenience checks." JACKSON and WATKINS then used the stolen checks in two separate ways. First, JACKSON and WATKINS used the stolen checks to purchase vehicles-cars, motorcycles, and all-terrain vehicles-listed for sale on the Internet from unsuspecting victims in surrounding states. Second, JACKSON provided the stolen checks to “runners" to deposit in the runners’ accounts and then JACKSON withdrew money from the runners’ accounts.
If convicted, JACKSON and WATKINS face a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count of mail fraud. If convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and bank fraud, JACKSON and WATKINS face a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a fine of up to $1 million. JACKSON also faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 5 years and a fine of up to $250,000 in connection with one count of theft of mail and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a fine of up to $1 million on each count of bank fraud.
U.S. Attorney Daly stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, with substantial assistance from the Connecticut Financial Fraud Task Force, and the Greenwich, Fairfield, Wilton, and Bridgeport Police Departments, as well as law enforcement in New Hampshire. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Silverman and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
