Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that a jury has found 38-year-old Willie Sykes of Amherst guilty of one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony). Jurors rendered their decision this afternoon after less than 30 minutes of deliberation following a two-day trial, convicting the defendant of the sole count in the indictment.
On Sunday, April 17, 2022, at approximately 11:17 p.m., Buffalo Police officers initiated a traffic stop after witnessing a vehicle travel at a high-rate of speed on East Ferry Street. The defendant, who was operating the vehicle, pulled over in a parking lot near Carl Street and exited the vehicle. Officers determined that the defendant, who was not the registered owner, was operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license, registration or insurance. The vehicle was subsequently impounded. A loaded semi-automatic pistol was found inside of a crossbody bag in the backseat of the car. The defendant was linked to the illegal, operable weapon through DNA analysis.
Sykes faces a maximum of 15 years in prison when he is sentenced as a second violent felony offender before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on Monday, July 22, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. He was held without bail.
Acting DA Keane commends Officer William Miller and Officer Nicyle Holman of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John G. Schoemick of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Nicholas C. Bussi of the Felony Trials Bureau.