Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 26-year-old Gregory E. Dread of Buffalo was sentenced yesterday morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to 6 months of incarceration followed by 5 years of probation.

The defendant admitted to stealing approximately $50,000 in cash while working as a home healthcare aide for an elderly client in the Town of Akron. The crime, which occurred between March 8, 2020 and March 12, 2020, was uncovered when the victim’s friend noticed that money was missing from a safe inside the victim’s home.

Dread pleaded guilty to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony), the highest sustainable charge, on May 4, 2021.

At the time of his plea, the defendant signed a Confession of Judgement to pay full restitution to the estate of victim. To date, he has not paid back any of the money. At sentencing yesterday, Judge Case ordered that the defendant pay the total amount in restitution of $50,000.

DA Flynn commends Deputy Matthew Fuqua of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for his work in the investigation.  

The case was prosecuted by Chief Candace K. Vogel of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions (SIP) Unit.