Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Clifton D. Eutsey of Buffalo pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to three felony charges in two separate criminal cases. He pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charges in both cases against him.

On October 24, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Buffalo Police officers observed the defendant exit a vehicle that he left unattended with the engine running outside of a home on Erskine Avenue. The defendant returned to the vehicle and drove on Erskine Avenue when he was stopped by Buffalo Police near Suffolk Street. During the traffic stop, the officers found that the defendant was driving without a license. He was also found in possession of two loaded, illegal firearms that were on his person. 

Yesterday, Eutsey pleaded guilty to two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felonies).

During the early morning hours of October 15, 2020, the defendant intentionally spray painted racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic graffiti onto his SUV that was parked on Saranac Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendant also poured a substance, believed to be sugar, into the gas tank of the vehicle with the intent to cause damage. After vandalizing his own vehicle, the defendant intentionally filed a false claim with his car insurance provider.

Eutsey pleaded guilty to one count of Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony) on Thursday afternoon.

Eutsey faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced on October 5, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

The defendant failed to appear at a previous court date and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. When the defendant was located, his previously posted bail was revoked and he was remanded. Judge Case ordered that the defendant remain held without bail pending his sentence.

DA Flynn commends Detective Robert Larusch and Detective Sgt. Christopher Mordino of the Buffalo Police Department for their work on investigating the vandalism case. Flynn also commends Lieutenant Jonathan Pietrzak and Detective Joseph Paszkiewicz for their work on the gun case and for their assistance in the search for the defendant while he evaded apprehension.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicholas C. Bussi of the Felony Trials Bureau and Chief Danielle N. D’Abate of the Community Prosecution and Training Bureau.