BALTIMORE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO
STEALING STATE CHECKS FROM MAILBOXES

Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr. announced today that Lamontray T. Christian, 31, of 3912 Lyndale Avenue, plead guilty in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City to felony theft, identity fraud and forgery in connection with his theft of several state income tax refund, worker’s compensation and insurance checks from the mailboxes of city residents. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge A. Handy imposed a 25-year suspended sentence and placed Christian on three years probation under the supervision of the Circuit Court Drug Treatment Court. He was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $10,870.85 to the check cashing facilities. Christian served approximately 35 days following his arrest.

The program involves intensive supervision by the court, successful completion of an individualized drug treatment plan, as well as increased urinalysis and reporting to his probation agent. Throughout the period of probation, he faces immediate sanctions for his failure to comply with requirements, including periods of incarceration and inpatient treatment such as the acupuncture program at the city Detention Center.

During a period of nine months from November 2001 through July 2002, he used fake identification to cash 14 stolen and forged checks at local check cashing facilities throughout Baltimore. At the time of his arrest in December 2002, Christian admitted his involvement and said that he stole to support his heroin addiction.

The case was investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service, Washington Division/Baltimore Office, and prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney General, Criminal Investigations Division.

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