Guilty Verdict in Forged Instrument Case

February 21, 2017

Poughkeepsie Man Convicted After Trial of Two Felony Counts
of Criminal Possession a Forged Instrument

Defendant Absconds During Trial

Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, Kodjo Kondon, 30, of Poughkeepsie, was convicted after a jury trial before Orange County Court Judge Craig Stephen Brown of two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree and Resisting Arrest.

On July 18, 2016, Kondon attempted to obtain a loan at the Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union located in the Town of New Windsor. Kondon was attempting to obtain the loan in an assumed name using a forged South Carolina driver’s license. When the Town of New Windsor Police were summoned, Kondon struck a Town of New Windsor Police sergeant and fled. He was apprehended nearby and was found to also be in possession of a forged Illinois driver’s license in yet another false name. Kondon was convicted after a jury trial which commenced on February 14, 2017.

Kondon failed to appear in court on Friday, February 17, 2017. A warrant was issued for Kondon’s arrest. The District Attorney’s Office is requesting the public’s help in locating Kondon. Prior to failing to appear, Kondon had been warned by Judge Brown that if he failed to appear the jury trail would continue in his absence, and that the court could sentence him in his absence. Kondon faces up seven to fourteen years in state prison when he is sentenced. Judge Brown scheduled the sentencing for April 4, 2017, and announced he is inclined to impose sentence even if Kondon is not present.

District Attorney Hoovler thanked the Town of New Windsor Police Department for their assistance in the arrest and investigation of the case.

“The jury’s verdict was clearly supported by the evidence,” said District Attorney Hoovler. “This defendant should have complied with the lawful orders of the Town of New Windsor Police, rather than resisting arrest. After his futile attempt to fraudulently obtain a loan using forged documents was thwarted, the defendant’s attempt to flee the police and evade justice by absconding during the trial will only result in him receiving additional punishment.”

A criminal charge is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed a violation of the criminal law, and it is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the State of New York’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.