Two Buffalo Bills fans arrested for attending game with fake vaccination cards
ERIE COUNTY, NEW YORK STATE: Michael Naab, 34, and Amber Naab, 37, two Buffalo Bills fans, were detained for reportedly attending a game with fake vaccination certificates. They were charged with criminal possession of a forged document in the second degree and were arrested this week. The duo reportedly entered the Bills' home playoff game against the New England Patriots on January 15 with their fake vaccination certificates.
During a press conference, Erie County District Attorney John J Fynn said, “I readily admit this is not the crime of the century. I hate to be the guy that says, ‘I need to send a message.’ I don’t like being that guy, but you can’t do this. There’s a law. We’ve got laws on the books.” Flynn informed that the couple acquired blank vaccination cards and later filled them to attend Bills games at Highmark Stadium. Since September, the Bills have mandated evidence of immunization for home games. New York Governor Kathy Hochul approved a law on last year December which says making fake coronavirus vaccination records is a criminal act.
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The Naabs may face up to seven years in jail if convicted. Flynn, on the other hand, has stated that the Naabs would not be imprisoned, but that they will be prosecuted. Michael and Amber Naab have been released on recognizance and their charge is "non-qualifying for bail." The Naab duo will have to return for a felony hearing on February 22 at 5:00 pm, 7 ABC WKBW BUFFALO reports
Authorities were tipped off by someone who spotted the Naabs bragging on social media about using fraudulent immunization documents to attend the playoff game, according to Flynn. During the third quarter of the game, they were escorted from their seats. Flynn added, “These two defendants are accused of using a fake vaccine card to intentionally violate the rules at the stadium, potentially putting the health of other fans at risk. As I have stated before, if you present a fake vaccine card, you will be prosecuted.”
Here we are. Didn’t even look at my fake card lol pic.twitter.com/eakxcykxZE
— Kimberly (@KimberlyRRadio) October 31, 2021
After the team's complete vaccination mandate for fans went into force for all home games, the Erie County Department of Health stated at least 250 people were denied access to Highmark Stadium. Earlier, the state health agency probed a radio host Kimberly Ray after she claimed to have attended the game using a false immunization card when she posted a photo from the stands on Twitter saying, “Here we are. Didn’t even look at my fake card lol.”