California Man Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Commit Wire Fraud

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

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Shola Yusuf Adediji a/k/a Michael Kopeck, 38, of Los Angeles, CA, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud before U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Bonanno, who is handling the case, stated that between May and August 2019, Adediji conspired with others to defraud two electronics businesses, one in Amherst, NY, and one in Fort Myers, Florida, to obtain high-end electronic merchandise. Adediji and others posed as customers and completed fraudulent purchase orders. Throughout the scheme, both businesses shipped merchandise to Adediji and others throughout the United States. Adediji used the fictitious name “Michael Kopeck” to rent a storage unit where the fraudulently obtained merchandise was stored.
 
The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Sinatra.

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