Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that three defendants have pleaded guilty for their involvement in cashing checks that were stolen from mailboxes in the areas of Walden Avenue, Pine Ridge Road and Genesee Street in the Town of Cheektowaga.

Jeffrey Watkins, Jr., 29, of Buffalo pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice John L. Michalski to two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree, one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree and one count of Official Misconduct.

The defendant admitted that while working as a United States Postal worker, he stole checks from the mailboxes of others between November 1, 2017 and May 25, 2018. He further admitted that he and two co-defendants deposited those checks into multiple bank accounts to withdraw funds for their personal use. Investigators believe approximately $26,405 was stolen from postal customers. 

He faces a maximum of 28 years in prison when he is sentenced on Friday, September 28 at 9:30 a.m.

The second defendant, Jeffrey Watkins, Sr., 56, of Buffalo pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice John L. Michalski to two counts of Identity Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the Second Degree and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree.

The defendant admitted that between November 1, 2017 and May 25, 2018, he forged signatures and used the identity of others to deposit checks that had been stolen from mailboxes. The money was then withdrawn and spent for personal use.

He faces a maximum of 28 years when he is sentenced on Tuesday, August 28 at 9:30 a.m.

The third defendant, Andrea DeBerry, 37, of Buffalo pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice John L. Michalski to one count of Scheme to Defraud. She also admitted that between November 1, 2017 and May 25, 2018, she and the two co-defendants deposited stolen checks in their bank accounts, and withdrew the money for personal use.

She faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when she is sentenced on Tuesday, September 25 at 9:30 a.m.

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Cheektowaga Police Detective Christopher Chojnacki and Special Agent Daniel Batt of the United State Postal Service Office of the Inspector General.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Ertel of the DA’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.