United States Attorney's Office District of Connecticut
Press Release

BROOKLYN MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSING AND PASSING PHONY AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVELERS CHEQUES

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that DWAYNE RICARDO SPENCER, 24, of St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, New York, pleaded guilty yesterday, June 9, before United States District Judge Mark R. Kravitz to one count of possessing and passing counterfeited American Express Travelers Cheques.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on November 2, 2009, SPENCER passed counterfeited American Express Travelers Cheques at a Target store located in Waterford. SPENCER made purchases at the Target store using 10 counterfeited $100 American Express Travelers Cheques, and during a search of SPENCER’s car following his arrest, an additional 71 counterfeited $100 Travelers Cheques were found, along with receipts for other purchases in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey.

When he is sentenced on August 25, 2010, SPENCER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Waterford Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Calvin B. Kurimai.

CONTACT:

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