Three Connecticut residents have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Bridgeport for their alleged roles in a check fraud scheme. According to an announcement from David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division, MICHELLE FREEMAN (also known as “Thunder”), 37, of Waterbury; LESHANDA LONG, 43, of Hamden; and OMAR EADDY, 40, of Bridgeport face charges related to stolen checks and bank fraud.
The indictment alleges that Freeman, Long, and Eaddy stole checks from mailboxes and altered them so they could be cashed by individuals acting as “check runners.” These runners would then provide the cash proceeds to the conspirators. Freeman is accused of leading the operation and counterfeiting fraudulent checks drawn mainly from small business accounts across Connecticut. Long and Eaddy are alleged to have recruited individuals to cash these checks at banks and check-cashing outlets.
The indictment was returned on August 20, 2025. All three defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud. This charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
Freeman, Long, and Eaddy were previously arrested on criminal complaints on May 6, 2025. Each has been released on a $100,000 bond pending arraignment scheduled for August 26.
“An indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” said U.S. Attorney Sullivan.
The investigation into this case is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Connecticut Organized Financial Fraud Task Force with support from several local police departments including Milford, Westport, Fairfield, West Haven, Stamford, West Hartford, and Bridgeport. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Boyles is prosecuting the case.
