Buffalo Sisters Sentenced for Using Paper as Money

BUFFALO, N.Y.—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Sayonara Heath, 33, and her sister, Sade Heath, 28, both of Buffalo, NY, who were convicted of bank fraud, were sentenced to time served plus two years supervised release by Chief District Court Judge William M. Skretny.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, Jr., who is handling the prosecution, stated that the defendants were part of a conspiracy to defraud local area banks by participating in a “check kiting” scheme. The defendants opened bank accounts and deposited large checks to the accounts. The deposited checks were written on accounts that had insufficient funds or on accounts that had been closed. Before the banks could determine that the checks were not supported by any funds, the defendants withdrew smaller amounts from the accounts. Sayonara Heath received $628.89 from Key Bank and Bank of America, but the intended loss was $4,000. Sade Heath received $1,027.55 from Key Bank and Bank of America, but the intended loss was $16,050.

Co-conspirators Carlique Deberry, Nichole Dean and Antwan Green have also been convicted of bank fraud charges and are awaiting sentencing.

The sentencings are the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tracy Gast.