Sonya Tarter Wilson, 50, of Mount Vernon, was charged on December 21, 2021, in Greenburgh Town Court with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, a felony. The Westchester County Department of Public Safety made the arrest following an investigation.
On November 9, 2021, at approximately 6:07 a.m., Wilson submitted a copy of a forged COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, with her name and date of birth, in order to obtain permanent employment at Westchester Community College, which has a vaccination requirement. When asked by the college for the original COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card, Wilson admitted that the card she submitted belonged to a family member and that she altered the information on it.
“The creation of fraudulent vaccination cards is a deceitful tactic that puts others at an increased risk of the serious effects of COVID-19,” DA Rocah said. “Individuals with relevant information about anyone possessing or selling fake or altered COVID-19 vaccination cards are encouraged to contact my office.”
Wilson is scheduled to appear again in Greenburgh Town Court on January 21, 2022.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine Cervasio. If anyone has information on someone purchasing, in possession of or selling fake or forged vaccination cards, please call the District Attorney’s Office at (914) 995-TIPS.
On Dec. 23, DA Rocah, commended Governor Kathy Hochul for signing legislation that will enable law enforcement to better protect our communities against COVID-19 and those who seek to thwart vaccine requirements through fraudulent acts. The new legislation clarifies that making, possessing or selling a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine cards is a crime and criminalizes computer tampering related to COVID-19 vaccine provisions.
We are also pleased to announce the COVID-19 Vaccination Fraud Task Force to combat instances of fraud associated with COVID-19 vaccinations. The task force, which has already been meeting and collaborating, includes the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York County District Attorney’s Office, together with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. As part of our ongoing efforts in this area, we are releasing the attached public service announcement.
