Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 39-year-old Richard Tyes of Buffalo pleaded guilty before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin J. Keane to one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class “A” misdemeanor. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

Tyes was arraigned on one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class “D” felony, and the Endangering the Welfare of a Child charge. A thorough investigation by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office determined that the felony charge was not sustainable and it has been dismissed.

On January 4, 2020, the defendant showed the victim, who is less than 13-years-old, sexually explicit images and videos on a cell phone at a location in the City of Buffalo.

Tyes faces a maximum of 1 year in jail when he is sentenced on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. He remains in custody on a parole detainer.

DA Flynn commends Detective Nicole Wrazen of the Buffalo Police Department Special Victims Unit for her work in the investigation. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rebecca L. Schnirel of the DA’s Special Victims Unit.