Prison Sentence for Man after Fraud

Delhi – William Evans, 62, of the Bronx, appeared before Delaware County Court Judge John L. Hubbard on April 15, 2025, and was sentenced to state prison for the crime of Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree.

On December 26, 2023, Trooper Thomas Fraker was dispatched to a local Delaware County bank for reports of fraud. Upon arrival, Trooper Fraker was informed that two individuals had attempted to cash washed checks using a stolen identity. After further investigation it was revealed that multiple attempts to use the stolen identity to cash checks had been made at banks in the Delaware County area. The bank provided stills from their security footage of the two individuals. 

On January 1, 2024, Investigator Adam Cernauskas of the New York State Police connected the incidents in Delaware County to a similar incident in Chenango County. After examining security footage from the Chenango Bank, it was determined the suspect had used a common alias in other check cashing schemes. After further investigation, it was determined that William Evans, of the Bronx, NY, had been arrested in connection with a similar scheme in Connecticut. Stills from the New York banks were reviewed, and it was determined that Mr. Evans was one of the individuals involved. 

Investigator Cernauskas later applied for an extradition warrant for Mr. Evans’ arrest. On September 19, 2024, the Delaware County Grand Jury indicted William Evans for Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the 2nd Degree, Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree, Identity Theft in the 1st Degree, and Criminal Impersonation in the 2nd Degree.

On February 4, 2025, Evans appeared in Delaware County Court and entered a guilty plea to Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree. After Mr. Williams admitted to the allegations, Judge Hubbard adjourned the matter for sentencing.

On April 15, 2025, Mr. Evans appeared for sentencing. Judge Hubbard sentenced Mr. Evans to state prison for a period to last no less than one year and no more than three years. Before being sentenced, Mr. Evans remarked, “I am too old for this. I should know better. I am sorry for anyone I harmed.”

Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith commended law enforcement for their investigation into this case. “I want to commend Trooper Thomas Fraker and Investigator Adam Cernauskas of the New York State Police for their work on this case. This took place across many jurisdictions, including another state, and the fine work of law enforcement has insured Mr. Evans is facing justice in every community he harmed.”