Buster Skrine, a former defensive back who enjoyed an 11-season career in the NFL with teams including CLE, NYJ, CHI, SF, and TEN, has reportedly been apprehended in Canada for allegedly defrauding multiple Canadian banks of over $100,000. The 34-year-old athlete is facing 14 charges as a result of an extensive police investigation culminating on Wednesday.
According to reports, Skrine’s arrest at Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, was made possible through a collaborative effort involving Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection, and the Peel Regional Police. Law enforcement alleges that Skrine utilized his identity as an ex-NFL player to open bank accounts using fraudulent checks. He is then accused of extracting funds from these accounts before the checks were detected and cleared.
Among the charges levied against Skrine are four counts of fraud, seven counts of making false statements to acquire funds, and three counts of possessing property obtained through criminal activity, ranging from amounts exceeding to less than $5,000.
Reports indicate that Skrine is set to face a bail hearing, as authorities proceed with the legal process. Skrine’s NFL journey began when he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 Draft by the Cleveland Browns. After fruitful spells with the Browns and the New York Jets, he briefly represented the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, and the Tennessee Titans before retiring from the sport on July 26, 2022.
Written by:
Dana Sterling-Editor
