Florissant Man Sentenced in Check Washing Scheme Targeting Metro East

Metro East – A Florissant, Missouri man has been sentenced to over two years in federal prison for his role in a check-washing scheme that impacted a bank in the Metro East.

Quentin T. Gandy, Jr., 22, pleaded guilty in October to charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. On Friday, he was sentenced to 26 months in federal prison.

The scheme involved the theft of authentic checks from the U.S. mail, which were then altered through a process known as check washing. Conspirators, including Gandy, created counterfeit checks using the stolen account information and forged signatures. According to court records, Gandy admitted to attempting to deposit $48,200 in counterfeit checks into his bank account in O’Fallon, Illinois.

“When criminals steal checks from the mail, commit fraud by washing the check and print fake copies, real people are victimized,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I appreciate the efforts by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to disband this organized effort to defraud banks.”

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which led the investigation, emphasized its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s mail system. “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is dedicated to defending the nation’s mail system from criminal activity, preserving the integrity of the U.S. Mail, and protecting United States Postal Service employees,” said Ruth M. Mendonça, Inspector in Charge of the Chicago Division.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard.