David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that MADISYN PETTAWAY, 31, of Newark, New Jersey, pleaded guilty yesterday before U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to an offense related to her attempted deposit of a stolen U.S. Treasury check at a Connecticut credit union.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on August 27, 2024, Pettaway, using a stolen identity and a fraudulent New Jersey driver’s license, opened an account at a branch of Charter Oak Federal Credit Union. On September 13, 2024, Pettaway attempted to deposit a U.S. Treasury check in the amount of $410,085.48 at the credit union. Charter Oak FCU ultimately did not accept the deposit.

In June 2025, Pettaway opened another account at a branch of Charter Oak FCU using a fraudulent identity. On July 28, 2025, East Lyme Police arrested Pettaway and charged her with state offenses. Pettaway possessed a fake New York driver’s license and three debit cards in the name of the fraudulent identity at the time of her arrest. She was arrested on a federal criminal complaint on August 20, 2025.

Pettaway pleaded guilty to bank fraud, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years. She is released on a $100,000 bond pending sentencing, which is scheduled for December 21.

This matter is being investigated by the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the East Lyme Police Department, and the Montville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Chang.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.