BUFFALO, NY – An 18-year-old man is learning the hard way that faking a crime and blaming Trump supporters doesn’t pay. Clifton Eutsey claimed that his SUV was targeted by racist Trump-supporting deplorable Nazi’s who spraypainted his car with racist and homophobic graffiti. He then falsified an insurance claim with his insurance provider. Now, he’s facing charges for his crimes.
Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 18-year-old Clifton D. Eutsey of Buffalo was virtually arraigned today before Buffalo City Court Judge Shannon M. Heneghan on the following charges:
- Insurance Fraud in the Third Degree, a Class “D” felony
- Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree, a Class “A” misdemeanor
- Falsifying Business Records in the Second Degree, a Class “A” misdemeanor
- Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Third Degree, a Class “A” misdemeanor
It is alleged that during the early morning hours of October 15, 2020, the defendant intentionally spray painted his SUV with racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic graffiti on Saranac Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is also accused of pouring a substance, believed to be sugar, into the gas tank of the vehicle with the intent to cause damage. It is further alleged that the defendant intentionally filed a false claim with his car insurance provider.
Eutsey is scheduled to return on Monday, January 11, 2021 for a felony hearing. He was released on his own recognizance.
If convicted on all charges, Eutsey faces up to 7 years in prison.
The defendant also has pending felony charges in a separate case. It is alleged that on October 24, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Buffalo Police officers observed the defendant leave a vehicle unattended with the engine running outside of a home on Erskine Avenue. The defendant allegedly returned and drove on Erskine Avenue toward Suffolk Street when he was stopped by Buffalo Police. Officers allegedly found that the defendant was driving without a license and had two loaded, illegal firearms on his person.
The defendant was arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Amy C. Martoche on two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Class “C” violent felonies, on October 25, 2020. He was also charged with vehicle and traffic law violations for driving without a license and leaving a motor vehicle unattended.
Judge Martoche set bail at $20,000 cash or bond, or $10,000 partially secured bond. The defendant posted bail and has been released. He is scheduled to return on Monday, January 4, 2021 for a felony hearing.
DA Flynn commends Detective Robert Larusch and Detective Sgt. Christopher Mordino of the Buffalo Police Department as well as the New York State Department of Financial Services under the direction of Superintendent Linda Lacewell.