Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 39-year-old Richard Tyes of Buffalo has been arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin J. Keane on one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class “D” felony and one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class “A” misdemeanor. The defendant was arraigned on Friday, January 17, 2020.

It is alleged that on January 4, 2020, the defendant made sexual advances toward a victim who is less than 13-years-old at a location in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is also accused of showing the victim sexually explicit images and videos on a cell phone. 

Tyes is scheduled to return on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He remains held on $50,000 set by Judge Keane as well as a parole detainer.

This matter remains under investigation by Erie County District Attorney’s Office and the Buffalo Police Department.

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

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.