ALBANY, NEW YORK – David Degrasse, 59, from West Warwick, Rhode Island, has pleaded guilty to the interstate transportation of stolen property. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli of the Albany Field Office, and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.
Degrasse admitted to sawing into an ATM at a restaurant in Catskill, New York on April 27, 2023, stealing approximately $9,300 and transporting it out of New York. He also confessed to cutting alarm wires at a convenience store in Hillsdale, New York before abandoning that effort to target the Catskill location. Furthermore, he admitted to similar thefts from ATMs in Walden and Pine Plains in New York; Lenox in Massachusetts; and Bagdad in Kentucky. In total, Degrasse stole over $55,000 from these machines. As part of his plea agreement, he will forfeit the $9,300 taken from Catskill and pay restitution.
Acting U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented: “David Degrasse’s multi-state crime spree is over. His arrest and prosecution should put an end to his despicable targeting and burglarizing of small businesses.”
FBI Special Agent Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Degrasse’s arrest should send a clear message that the FBI will work diligently with our law enforcement partners to investigate and hold accountable any criminal who decides to target our small businesses for their own personal gain.”
NYSP Superintendent Steven G. James remarked: “This case demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to hold individuals accountable who prey on small businesses and violate the safety of our communities.”
Degrasse faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release upon sentencing. Sentencing is determined by a judge based on statutory guidelines.
The case was investigated by the FBI and NYSP with Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuting.
