Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that a 19-year-old male from Newburg, New York, pleaded guilty yesterday morning before Amherst Town Court Justice Jeff Marion to one count of Inciting to Riot (Class “A” misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.
On Monday, May 6, 2024, at approximately 12:46 p.m., the defendant made a post on a social media platform, directing people to engage in tumultuous and violent conduct likely to create public alarm. The post was directed toward individuals who were participating in a demonstration organized by the Jewish Student Union at University at Buffalo North Campus in the Town of Amherst. The defendant, who was a student at UB at the time of the incident, was identified and issued an appearance ticket to be arraigned on a later date.
The defendant, who was 18 years old at the time of the crime, will be adjudicated as a youthful offender when he is sentenced on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Therefore, our office is no longer disclosing the name of the defendant. He remains released on his own recognizance pending sentence.
DA Keane commends the University at Buffalo Police for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Daniel J. Morris of the Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Kurt C. Snuszka of the Justice Courts Bureau.