Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 45-year-old Christopher McCullen of Buffalo has been sentenced by Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to 3-6 years in prison. 

In October, McCullen pleaded guilty to Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree and seven counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree. 

Between April and December of 2014, the defendant was the leader of a crime ring that involved breaking into automobiles and stealing credit and debit cards which were then used to buy untraceable gift cards. 

The defendant and others broke into the cars which were parked at gyms, restaurants, parks and other entertainment facilities in Buffalo, Amherst, Tonawanda and Depew. The credit cards stolen were then given to female defendants to buy gift cards which were then sold at a discount.  

10 defendants in total were indicted and all entered guilty pleas.  

DA Flynn commends Amherst Police Det. John Trabert, Cheektowaga Lt. Mark Jedd, Niagara Falls Det. Mark Jaroszewski and Det. Brian Moline from the Town of Tonawanda for their thorough investigative work. 

Assistant District Attorney Karen Korkuc prosecuted the case.