Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Joseph Jurek of Alden pleaded guilty before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to two counts of Reckless Assault of a Child. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charges.

On January 7, 2018, New York State Police responded to a home on Exchange Street in the Village of Alden for a medical call for a 3-month-old child who had reportedly fallen. The child was taken to Oishei Children’s Hospital by his parents. Upon evaluation, it was determined that the male child had been shaken to the point of unconsciousness and had suffered other bodily injuries.

The child is still recovering from his injuries.

In a separate matter, Jurek pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of Marijuana in the Second Degree, a D felony, before Judge Case. On October 6, 2017, Erie County Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Exchange Street home, finding more than 16 ounces of marijuana. The defendant pleaded guilty to the only charge in the indictment.

Jurek faces a maximum of 7 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, July 5 at 2 p.m. He remains remanded without bail. 

“Not only is Mr. Jurek an irresponsible father, but he is also not the smartest criminal,” said DA Flynn. “He was investigated following a tip from a bank after Mr. Jurek attempted to exchange small bills that smelled of marijuana for larger bills.”

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Investigator Joseph Gill of the New York State Police and members of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit.

Assistant District Attorney Meghan E. Leydecker of the DA’s Special Victims Bureau prosecuted the child abuse case. Assistant District Attorney Nathanael C. Kapperman of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau prosecuted the marijuana case.