Albion man could get 10 years in prison for stealing from FAA

Staff Reports Posted 7 May 2015 at 12:00 am

ROCHESTER – An Albion man pleaded guilty in federal court today to converting to his own use machinery belonging to the United States Federal Aviation Administration, a charge with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 or both.

U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Justin D. Weese of Albion pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa.

Weese was an employee of the Federal Aviation Administration. In June 2014, he was tasked with taking a welder, a mower, and a trailer to a scrap yard. Instead, Weese kept the items for his own personal use, stated Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley E. Tyler, who is handling the case. In addition, Weese was supposed to take an all-terrain vehicle to be traded in for a newer model. He kept the vehicle for his own use, Tyler said.

The plea was the culmination of an investigation on the part of Special Agents of the Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General. Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Aug. 6.