Canadian Citizen Pleads Guilty To Cash Smuggling

CONTACT:      Barbara Burns
PHONE:         (716) 843-5817
FAX:            (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.-Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy Jr. announced today Richard Clarke, 48, a Canadian citizen residing in Buffalo, pleaded guilty to bulk cash smuggling out of the United States before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr.   The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Adler, who is handling the case, stated that on November 16, 2016, Clarke transported more than $10,000 in United States currency from the U.S. into Canada. However, the defendant failed to report the transportation of the currency, which he was legally required to do.

Clarke was charged in this case along with co-defendants Joshua Castro and Barrett Johnson. Castro has been convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances for conspiring with others to possess and distribute “Molly,” a Scheduled I controlled substance. Charges are pending against Johnson. The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The plea is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge James C. Spero, and the Border Enforcement Security Taskforce which includes the Ontario Provincial Police, Niagara Regional Police, Peel Regional Police and Toronto Police Services.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.