Former Buffalo police officer pleads guilty to insurance fraud

A former Buffalo Police officer faces a year in jail after pleading guilty to falsely reporting his vehicle stolen last year.

Dewayne Raye, 34, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty Thursday before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to one count of fifth-degree insurance fraud (Class "A" misdemeanor).

On or about Nov. 12, Raye 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 Raye received any payment from the insurance company. An investigation found that he 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.

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

Raye faces a maximum of one year in jail when he is sentenced on Dec. 19. He was released on his own recognizance.

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane commended 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.