Fired West Seneca police officer sentenced for scheme to defraud retail stores throughout WNY

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 34-year-old Ryan J. Miller of West Seneca was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to a three-year conditional discharge. The defendant also paid restitution totaling $31,533.74.

Between Jan. 10, 2018, and April 26, 2022, the defendant stole merchandise from home improvement retailers and other “big box” stores throughout Western New York. Once the merchandise was in his possession, the defendant would steal items by either cancelling an online order while inside of the store or by leaving the store without paying for the items. The defendant also committed the scheme to defraud by repacking stolen items and returning the merchandise to the retailer.

Miller, who worked as a patrol officer with the West Seneca Police Department, admitted to stealing approximately $31,734.39 in merchandise from various retailers. Miller was subsequently fired from the West Seneca Police Department.

He pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny in the third degree (class “D” felony) and one count of scheme to defraud in the first degree (class “E” felony) on Oct. 7, 2022.

His codefendant, 27-year-old Dylan Biddeman of West Seneca, also pleaded guilty for his role in these crimes. Biddeman pleaded guilty to one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree (class “E” felony) before Judge Case on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022.

Between Oct. 1, 2021, and April 26, 2022, the defendant, while working in concert with codefendant Ryan Miller, stole merchandise from a home improvement retailer in West Seneca and other store locations throughout Western New York.

Biddeman was sentenced to a three-year condition discharge. Prior to his sentence, the defendant paid full restitution of $28,839.79 to the retailer.

DA Flynn commends his office’s confidential criminal investigators for their work in this investigation.

Both cases were prosecuted by Chief Gary M. Ertel and Assistant District Attorney Ryan A. Emmerling of the special investigations and prosecutions (SIP) bureau.