BUFFALO, NY—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that Michael Lesinski, 50, of Derby, New York, pleaded guilty plea before Chief United States District Judge William M. Skretny to misprision of a felony. The charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert C. Moscati, who is handling the case, stated that Lesinski admitted to transporting women in April, 2005 from the Buffalo airport to a hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, where the Royal Order of Jesters was holding its national convention. While there, the women engaged in sex acts with members of the Jesters in exchange for money. Lesinski also admitted knowing about the prostitution but lying to U.S. Custom’s officials about the purpose of his visit when returning to the United States. Lesinski was an Erie County Sheriff’s Deputy at the time.

The plea is the culmination of an investigation by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James H. Robertson; the United States Border Patrol, under the direction of Chief Patrol Agent Kevin W. Oaks; the Erie County Sheriff’s Department, under the direction of Sheriff Timothy B. Howard; and the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Lev J. Kubiak.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 5, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Skretny.