Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 40-year-old David Scheifla of Amherst has pleaded guilty to a 20 count indictment charging him with multiple counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument and Petit Larceny before Erie County Court Judge Thomas P. Franczyk.

Scheifla financially exploited his 83-year-old mother-in-law by forging 10 checks drawn on her personal bank account between September and October 2015, using $1,050 to fuel his drug habit.

Due to a prior felony conviction which also involved stealing from the same victim, the defendant faces a mandatory state prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Scheifla will be sentenced on June 8, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Franczyk.

Acting DA Flaherty commends Amherst Police Detective Cathy Onions for her investigative work.

Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Ertel prosecuted the case.