Plea in Grand Larceny Case - 5 July 2025

DELHI – District Attorney Shawn Smith announced that on July 1, Keith Ward, 62, of the Bronx, appeared before the Honorable John L. Hubbard in Delaware County Court and pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree, a Class E Felony.  

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint in March of 2024, that an unknown individual had cashed a forged check at the NBT Bank in Grand Gorge, New York. After conducting an investigation into the allegations, Investigator Cody Tromblee determined that Keith Ward was the individual that attempted to cash the forged check. After further collaboration with the New York State Police, Tromblee determined that this defendant was part of a group that had been involved in similar crimes in Otsego County, New York. 

On July 11, 2024, Chief Assistant District Attorney Richard D. Northrup Jr. presented the case to the Delaware County Grand Jury and obtained an indictment.  The defendant failed to appear in court to be arraigned on the indictment, and the Delaware County Court issued a warrant.  The defendant was ultimately taken into custody on the warrant and was remanded to the Delaware County Correctional Facility without bail. 

On July 1, 2025, the defendant appeared in Delaware County Court and pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Third Degree. Prior to pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that he had “been strung out on drugs and agreed to cash these forged checks in exchange for payment.” 

After accepting the defendant’s guilty plea, the Honorable John L. Hubbard sentenced the defendant to 1.5 to 3 years in state prison. The defendant was on parole at the time he committed this felony, and it is anticipated that he will receive additional prison time as a result of violating parole.  

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith commended Senior Investigator Chris Erwin, Investigator Cody Tromblee and Roxbury Constable Steve Williamson for their thorough investigation into this case. Smith stated, “This was a collaborative effort between the Sheriff and the New York State Police.  Thanks to their thorough investigation, my office was able to obtain this conviction and prison sentence.  Financial crimes don’t go unnoticed in Delaware County. My office will continue to partner with law enforcement to ensure that anyone guilty of a crime is held accountable. 

Shawn J. Smith

District Attorney

Delaware County