UPDATE (8/8/2023): Freeman pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class "D" felony) before Judge Eagan on April 26, 2023. On July 7, 2023, he was sentenced to 5 years of probation and a final order of protection was issued for the victim. 

PRESS RELEASE (9/26/2022):

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 43-year-old Victor G. Freeman, Sr. of Grand Island was arraigned on Thursday morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan on an indictment charging him with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felonies) and three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class “D” felonies).

It is alleged that on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the defendant was driving southbound on the I-190 in the Town of Grand Island when he brandished a handgun during a road rage incident with another driver. Both the defendant and the other driver allegedly went to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office station on Grand Island to report the incident. During a search of the defendant’s vehicle, troopers found a loaded “ghost gun” pistol inside of a backpack on the rear passenger seat floor.

The same day, New York State Police obtained a “Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order” to seize the defendant’s firearms. During a search of the defendant’s home, troopers found illegal weapons, which included two assault rifles, two large capacity ammunition feeding devices, and multiple “ghost gun” kits. The illegal weapons were found in the defendant’s bedroom.

Freeman is scheduled to return on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 10:30 a.m., for a pre-trial conference. He remains released on bail previously set at $100,000 cash, bond or partially secured bond in Grand Island Town Court.

If convicted of the highest charge, Freeman faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the New York State Police for their work in this investigation. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Hilarie L. Henry of the Felony Trials Bureau.

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