Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 50-year-old Darrius R. Outling of Buffalo pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree, a Class “E” felony.

Between August of 2014 and June of 2018, the defendant used Social Security numbers that were assigned to several juveniles from across the country to obtain more than a dozen credit cards and purchase four vehicles. All of the cars were repossessed and the credit card accounts were charged off by the financial institutions, resulting in an estimated financial loss of approximately $133,000.

In addition to monetizing the Social Security numbers for himself, the defendant also sold a series of Social Security numbers to other individuals, most of whom have taken responsibility for their actions.

As part of the plea, Outling agreed to sign Confessions of Judgment for the outstanding restitution amounts and to provide the victims with lack of permission and authority affidavits to assist the minor victims when negative financial information appears on their credit reports.           

Outling faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. He remains released on his own recognizance.

DA Flynn commends New York State Police Investigator Andre Dunlap and Office of Inspector General Social Security Administration Agent Bejamin Kabat for their efforts during this 18-month investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the DA’s Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.