$7,842 Tobacco Purchase Leads To Felony Bad Check, Theft Charges In Leonardtown

LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A Leonardtown man faces felony charges after investigators allege he used a bad check to obtain more than $7,800 worth of cigarettes and tobacco products from a distributor.

Taranpreet S. Kang, 25, of Leonardtown, was charged by criminal summons with passing a bad check valued between $1,500 and $25,000 and theft between $1,500 and $25,000.

Charging documents allege the incident occurred June 18, 2025, in connection with TJ Liquors on MacArthur Boulevard in Leonardtown.

Investigators allege Kang obtained cigarettes and other tobacco products valued at $7,842.10 from The George J. Falter Company Inc. and paid with a check.

The check was later returned for insufficient funds, according to the charging documents.

The complaint alleges Kang knew or believed there were insufficient funds in the account to cover the check when it was issued.

Court documents show a certified demand for payment was later mailed. The charging paperwork indicates payment was not made after the check was returned.

A criminal summons was issued Aug. 22, 2026.

Kang is charged with one felony count of passing a bad check valued between $1,500 and $25,000 and one felony count of theft between $1,500 and $25,000.

A preliminary inquiry is scheduled for Oct. 2, 2026, in St. Mary’s District Court.

---