Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Tyler J. Vogel, 27, of Lancaster, pleaded guilty yesterday morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to one count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor). He was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge.
On Sunday, March 24, 2024, approximately 10:23 p.m., the defendant, with the intent to intimidate or coerce, sent threatening text messages to two victims. The defendant sent the text messages separately to each victim, which threatened physical harm or death if the victim did not comply with his demands to cease action in a pending high-profile civil case outside of Erie County. The defendant obtained the victims’ phone numbers through a paid background website.
Vogel completed an interim probation program following his guilty plea to one count of Making a Terroristic Threat (Class “D” violent felony) and one count of Making a Threat of Mass Harm (Class “B” misdemeanor) last April. The Interim Probation plea agreement was approved by the District Attorney in consultation with the victims who will not be identified by our office. As a condition of Interim Probation, the defendant was ordered to comply with the mandates of Mental Health Court. Based upon his successful completion of the program, the defendant was permitted to withdraw his previous plea and enter a guilty plea to a reduced charge. In addition to leading a law-abiding life, the defendant was also ordered to continue with counseling as a condition of his sentence.
As part of the sentencing proceeding, final orders of protection were issued on behalf of the victims, which remain in effect for the next five years.
DA Keane commends the New York State Police for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Briana R.D. Kalman of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau and Chief Danielle N. D’Abate of the Felony Trials Bureau.