Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 35-year-old Jamire Y. Barber of Buffalo was arraigned yesterday morning before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges on an indictment charging him with one count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (Class "C" felony).

The victim was hospitalized due to a medical event when a fire occurred at his home on Brinkman Avenue in the City of Buffalo in January 2022. After the fire, the defendant, a family member of the 72-year-old victim, served as the principle point of contact for the homeowner's insurance claim.

It is alleged that on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, the defendant received a check from the insurance company made payable to the victim in the amount of $176,410.10. Instead of depositing the check into a joint bank account shared by the defendant and the victim, the defendant allegedly deposited the money into his personal checking account.

Over the course of four months, the defendant stole the majority of the victim's insurance claim money through cash withdrawals, unauthorized personal purchases (jewelry, designer clothing and vehicles) and online sports gambling, rather than using the funds to support the victim's medical and housing expenses.

Barber is scheduled to return on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. for a pre-trial conference. He was held without bail.

Acting DA Keane commends Erie County Adult Protective Services, Center for Elder Law & Justice, U.S. Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General and the New York State Police for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Jurusik of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.