United States v. Shane C. Buczek

BUFFALO, NY—SHANE C. BUCZEK, 39, of Derby, New York, was charged in a two-count indictment with a violation of the federal bank fraud statute, and with committing the alleged bank fraud violation while released on bail in connection with an earlier indictment that charged Buczek with passport fraud, announced Acting United States Attorney Kathleen M. Mehltretter. Conviction on the bank fraud charge carries a maximum term of imprisonment of thirty years and a fine of $1 million; if convicted of committing the bank fraud charge while released on bail, Buczek faces an additional maximum term of imprisonment of ten (10) years, which must be served consecutively to any sentence imposed on the bank fraud charge.

On January 16, 2009, FBI agents, assisted by agents from other agencies, searched the Derby Road home Buczek shared with his parents for a 52" flat screen TV, a state-of-the-art washer and dryer, and other appliances after an FBI agent alleged in an affidavit that Buczek had opened an account at Best Buy in Hamburg, made a number of major purchases, and then instructed HSBC to get the funds to pay off his $8,800 in appliance purchases by debiting a non-existent account at Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation, a commercial bank in New York City that clears stock and bond transactions for major stockbrokers, but does not have accounts with any individuals (including Buczek). Today’s indictment was based on the FBI’s investigation of Buczek’s dealings with HSBC and the results of the search.

Buczek, who was arrested at the time of the search and who is representing himself, is in federal custody and will be arraigned later.

The FBI agents conducted their investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Laurie J. Bennett.  The case was presented to the Grand Jury by Assistant United States Attorney Anthony M. Bruce who will try the case.