Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Timothy D. Berry, 35, of Williamsville, was arraigned this morning before Amherst Town Court Justice Ann Nichols on one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony).
The investigation began in October 2024 after members of a local group contacted the Erie County Sheriff’s Office to report alleged fraud committed by another member of the group. It is alleged that between on or about Friday, September 27, 2024, and Friday, October 4, 2024, the defendant knowingly and intentionally stole in excess of $5,000 in donations from a social media fundraiser to support the group’s Hurricane Helene relief efforts. The defendant is accused of transferring donated money from a PayPal account to his personal bank account, which he allegedly used for personal expenses.
Berry is scheduled to return on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at for a felony hearing. He was released on his own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.
If convicted of the charge, Berry faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.
DA Keane commends Detective Daniel Brinkerhoff of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for his work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Ryan E. Thie of the Justice Courts Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.