Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Breaking Into A Railroad Car

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

BUFFALO, N.Y.--U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Ray Chrostowski, 26, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr., to breaking into and larceny from interstate carrier facilities.  The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins, who is handling the case, stated that between May and June of 2018, the defendant entered on railroad cars containing interstate shipments of freight in transit on nine separate occasions with co-defendants Paul Krieger and Nicholas Birdwell.  Working together, they broke into railcars and removed the property therefrom.  On one occasion they broke into a railcar carrying automobiles and removed the tires and rims off of two vehicles.  As a result of this conduct, the total loss relating to these vehicles was over $4,718.16.  A large quantity of Jefferson bourbon valued at $3,118.80 was stolen. 

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Gary Loeffert and the CSX Police, under the direction of Chief Sean Douris.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 16, 2020, before Judge Sinatra.

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