Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Bank Fraud And ID Theft

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Christopher Carriero, 38, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Marie P. Grisanti, who is handling the case, stated that between September 27, 2015, and March 16, 2016, the defendant executed a scheme to defraud Citizens Bank and the United States Postal Service. Defendant forged over 50 stolen checks at various Citizen’s Bank and Post Office locations, resulting in losses amounting to $35,577.00. 
    
Carriero also pleaded guilty to two violations of supervised release. The defendant was on supervised release following a 2011 conviction in the Eastern District of Kentucky for theft of government property. Carriero was sentenced to 37 months in prison and three years’ supervised release. On August 11, 2014, the defendant was sentenced once again in the Eastern District of Kentucky for escape.

The plea is the result of an investigation by U.S. Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Boston Division Inspector in Charge Shelly Binkowski.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 6, 2017, at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.