Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Marcos Felizola-Torres of Buffalo pleaded guilty as charged to Burglary in the First Degree on the first day of jury selection for his trial.

On August 20, 2016, the defendant went to an address on Dart Street in the City of Buffalo, looking for his ex-girlfriend. When the resident told the defendant that his ex-girlfriend was not inside the house and to leave the premises, the defendant proceeded to break the windows on the front porch of the home.

When the resident and others inside the home opened the door to stop the defendant from breaking the windows, the defendant lifted his shirt to display the handle of a weapon. After the door was closed, the defendant kicked it in, displayed a machete in his waistband and threatened to kill everyone inside the home.

After searching the home for his ex-girlfriend, the defendant fled on a bicycle. He was apprehended nearby a short time later by Buffalo Police. “I have zero tolerance for Domestic Violence”, said DA Flynn, “this defendant’s actions will not be tolerated and that is why I offered him no reduction and made him plead to the charges.”

Felizola-Torres will return for sentencing by State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges on June 26 at 2:00 pm.   

DA Flynn commends BPD Officers Richard Cruz, Timothy Wagner and Jamie Varco for their work on the case and to Bridget McClure, a paralegal in the DA’s Office, who combed through hours of jail calls finding some damning evidence against the defendant.

Assistant District Attorney Louis C. Mussari of the DA’s Special Investigations Bureau and Erin E. Hart of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau prosecuted the case.