Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 33-year-old Jered C. Menter of Buffalo pleaded guilty yesterday before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to one count of Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class “E” felony).

Between February 22, 2022 and June 21, 2022, the defendant fraudulently obtained a total of $23,048.02 from an elderly female victim while performing various home improvement projects at her residence in the Town of Clarence. The defendant stole a series of checks from the victim and forged her signature, which resulted in a loss of $9,805.00. The defendant used the victim’s debit card to make numerous unauthorized cash withdrawals, which totaled $8,676.98. The defendant also fraudulently used the victim’s credit card information, resulting in $4,566.04 in unauthorized charges. 

The crime was discovered by the victim’s son after he audited his mother’s financial accounts. The victim was reimbursed by the bank and credit card company after the theft was reported. As part of the plea, the defendant signed two Confessions of Judgement to pay full restitution to the financial institutions impacted by his crimes.

Menter faces a maximum of four years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. He remains released on his own recognizance.

DA Flynn commends the New York State Police for their work in this investigation.   

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit.