United States of America v. Tandre Buchanan

Cleveland, Ohio criminal defense attorney represented defendant charged with interference with commerce by means of robbery and tampering with evidence.



On May 30, 2020, Buchanan, wearing a bright orange jacket, head covering and shoes, threw an object that shattered a large window at Colossal Cupcakes on Euclid Avenue in downtown Cleveland. Buchanan then entered the business through the broken window and encountered the store owner and employees, who locked themselves in a bathroom to call for help.



Buchannan removed a chair from the shop and exited through the same window. Using the chair, Buchanan repeatedly smashed a second window until it finally shattered and fell out. Court documents state that multiple individuals then entered the business through the broken window, destroyed the shop's interior and stole several items, including store inventory and iPads, all while Buchanan was smashing the second window.



According to court records, text messages regarding the incident were later recovered from Buchanan's phone. An individual sent a text to Buchanan's asking, "what the hell they do with all the cupcakes?” Buchanan replied, "man I was giving them out.”



The jury also found Buchanan guilty of evidence tampering after evidence showed Buchanan disposed of the bright orange clothing he wore in an attempt to conceal his identity and participation in the incident. Buchanan was ultimately identified and arrested based on multiple identifications made from photos released to the public.



Buchanan is scheduled to be sentenced on March 23, 2022. A federal district court judge will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.



This case was investigated by the Cleveland FBI with the help of the Cleveland Police Department. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Scott C. Zarzycki.



18:1951(a) and 2 Interference with Commerce by Means of Robbery

(1)

18:1512(c)(1) Tampering with Evidence

(2)

11/30/2021 54 Expedited Non-Appeal Transcript Request by Tandre Buchanan, Jr (1) for proceedings held on 11/29/2021 before Judge Nugent. Court Reporter: Heather Newman. Requested completion date: 11/30/2021 (Bradley, Steven) (Entered: 11/30/2021)

11/30/2021 55 Partial transcript of Jury Trial Proceedings as to Tandre Buchanan, Jr (1), Cross-Examination of Kelly Kandah, held on 11/29/2021 before Judge Donald C. Nugent. To obtain a copy of this transcript please contact court reporter Heather K. Newman at heather_newman@ohnd.uscourts.gov. [61 pages] Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Parties requesting that privacy information be redacted must file a notice of intent to redact with the court by 12/7/2021. Redaction Request due 12/21/2021. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 12/31/2021. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 2/28/2022. (N,H) (Entered: 11/30/2021)



Defendant was found guilty.