A federal grand jury in Bridgeport has indicted three Connecticut residents on charges related to a stolen check and bank fraud scheme, according to an announcement from David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Boston Division.
The indictment alleges that Michelle Freeman, also known as “Thunder,” 37, of Waterbury; Leshanda Long, 43, of Hamden; and Omar Eaddy, 40, of Bridgeport participated in a conspiracy involving the theft of checks from mailboxes. The checks were then altered to be payable to individuals acting as “check runners,” who would cash the fraudulent checks and provide the money to those orchestrating the scheme. According to court documents, Freeman is accused of leading the conspiracy and counterfeiting most of the fraudulent checks drawn from small business accounts across Connecticut. Long and Eaddy are alleged to have recruited individuals to act as check runners at banks and check cashing locations.
The indictment was returned on August 20, 2025. All three defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. This offense carries a maximum sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
Freeman, Long, and Eaddy were arrested on criminal complaints on May 6, 2025. Each has been released on a $100,000 bond pending arraignment scheduled for August 26.
“An indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” said U.S. Attorney Sullivan.
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Connecticut Organized Financial Fraud Task Force with support from several local police departments including Milford, Westport, Fairfield, West Haven, Stamford, West Hartford, and Bridgeport. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Boyles is prosecuting the case.
