Buffalo filmmaker David R. Williams pleaded guilty Tuesday to embezzling nearly $266,000 and was allowed to remain free on a signature bond until he is sentenced June 7.

Williams, 53, of University Avenue, pleaded guilty to a second-degree grand larceny for embezzling funds from VWR International Inc., a Tonawanda-based scientific equipment maker for schools and labs from at least Feb. 6, 2006, through last July 1.

Prosecutor Gary M. Ertel told Erie County Judge Sheila A. DiTullio that Williams agreed to plead guilty to the highest charge an Erie County grand jury could have lodged against him.

DiTullio can impose a sentence ranging from probation up to 15 years in state prison.

Williams, whose film career began as an actor in 1972 and continues with post-production work now under way on two films he wrote or co-wrote, declined to comment following the court session.