United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force: FORMER NEW YORK RESIDENT CHARGED WITH MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS TO THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that SASHA HAYWOOD, 22, of Biloxi, Mississippi, and formerly of the Bronx, New York, waived her right to indictment and pleaded guilty yesterday, June 25, before United States District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford to one count of making false statements on a United States Postal Service form.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, on March 20, 2008, HAYWOOD traveled with others from New York to Connecticut and used a false identity to open a post office box at The UPS Store in Westport.  In applying for the post office box, HAYWOOD used a fake Virginia driver’s license in the name of another individual, but which bore her photograph, and completed a United States Postal Service form using the name and address that appeared on the fake driver’s license.  The next day, HAYWOOD attempted to use the same false driver’s license, a false W-2 that had been provided by another individual, and the post office box information to open a bank account at a Citibank branch in Greenwich.  However, alert bank personnel contacted the Greenwich Police Department and HAYWOOD was arrested.

Judge Bryant has scheduled sentencing for September 15, 2009, at which time HAYWOOD faces a maximum prison term of five years and a fine of up to $250,000.

This matter is being investigated by the Connecticut Financial Crimes Task Force, notably the United States Postal Inspection Service, the United States Secret Service and the Greenwich Police Department.  The Task Force also includes members from the United States Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service; the Connecticut State Police; the Manchester Police Department and the New Haven Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Murphy.

CONTACT:

U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Tom Carson
(203) 821-3722
thomas.carson@usdoj.gov