Three Buffalo Women Plead Guilty to Bank Fraud

    BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Carlique Deberry, 35, Sayonara Heath, 32, Sade Heath, 27, all of Buffalo, N.Y. pleaded guilty to bank fraud before U.S. Magistrate Judge Leslie G. Foschio.  The charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000 or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, Jr., who is handling the case, stated that the defendants were part of a conspiracy to defraud local area banks by participating in a “check kiting” scheme.  The defendants would open bank accounts and deposit 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 would withdraw smaller amounts from the accounts.  Although the defendants made away with only $390.95, the amount of the intended loss was more than $40,000.

The pleas are the culmination of an investigation by the United States Secret Service, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tracy Gast.

Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date before Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny.