Former Buffalo Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Insurance Fraud

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Dewayne Raye, 34, of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to one count of Insurance Fraud in the Fifth Degree (Class "A" misdemeanor).

On or about Sunday, November 12, 2023, the defendant falsely reported to his auto insurance provider that his vehicle, a 2021 Dodge Ram pickup truck, was stolen. The written claim was determined to be fraudulent before the defendant received any payment from the insurance company. An investigation found that the defendant had sold his vehicle to another person in Suffolk County without providing the buyer with the vehicle title. The buyer reported the incident to police after the vehicle was flagged as stolen.

The defendant was employed as a police officer at the time of the incident. As a condition of the plea agreement, the defendant submitted his resignation to the Buffalo Police Department.

Raye faces a maximum of one year in jail when he is sentenced on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. He was released on his own recognizance.

Acting DA Keane commends the Suffolk County Police Department and Buffalo Police Internal Affairs for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel of the Public Integrity Unit.