D.A. Bragg Announces Prison Sentence Of Man Who Stole And Forged Older Adults’ Checks

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the sentencing of ALEXIS DE LA CRUZ, 31, to 1-to-3 years in state prison for possessing checks that were stolen from older adults and subsequently forged in October 2024. On August 11, 2025, DE LA CRUZ pleaded guilty in New York State Supreme Court to one count of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree.

"Alexis De La Cruz will serve prison time for stealing and forging checks from older adults. I hope today's sentencing sends a message that we will prosecute those who steal hard-earned money from Manhattanites of any age," said District Attorney Bragg. "I urge New Yorkers to use secure electronic payment methods, when possible, to protect themselves from check fraud."

According to court documents and statements made on the record, and as admitted in the defendant's guilty plea, on October 17, 2024, at approximately 1:11 p.m. in Inwood, after an unrelated traffic stop, NYPD officers discovered that there was a bench warrant for DE LA CRUZ's arrest in a different county.

During the defendant's arrest processing, officers found numerous checks and credit and debit cards bearing other individuals' names in his vehicle and in his pockets. Among the items recovered was a washed check, where the original writing was erased, belonging to an 89-year-old man. The Officer also recovered a stolen check belonging to a 78-year-old man.

Each check had been placed in the mail by its respective owner or an agent thereof. The washed check had originally been issued for $894.58 and the stolen check had been issued to a consulting company for $4,410.54. Officers also recovered a Bank of America deposit slip showing that DE LA CRUZ had deposited an altered version of the 78-year-old's check-the name of the payee had been changed-at a Bank of America ATM in Brooklyn a few days before DE LA CRUZ'S arrest.

Assistant D.A. Benjamin Davidovich (Trial Bureau 70) handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Rachel Polisner (Trial Bureau 70), David Hammer (Chief of Trial Bureau 70), Jeanine Launay (Chief of the Elder Abuse Unit), former Assistant D.A. Mireille Dee, and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Investigative Analyst Genevieve Rupp provided valuable assistance in this case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Officer Jordan Masiello of the 34th Precinct.

Convicted:

• Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree

Sentenced:

• 1-3 years in state prison

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