Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 26-year-old Jordan X. Ernest of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Philip Dabney, Jr. on one count of Making a Punishable False Written Statement (Class “A” misdemeanor).

The defendant is accused of knowingly providing a false statement to investigators. It is alleged that on Friday, July 1, 2022, at approximately 4:38 a.m., the defendant knowingly gave a sworn statement to a police officer who was investigating a fire that involved the defendant’s vehicle on the 600 block of Elk Street in the City of Buffalo. It is further alleged that on July 6, 2022, the defendant knowingly gave a contradicting sworn statement to Buffalo Fire Department investigators regarding the vehicle fire on Elk Street.

Ernest is scheduled to return on October 12, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He was released on his own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.

If convicted of the charge, Ernest faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department and the Buffalo Fire Department for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan A. Connelly of the Buffalo City Court Bureau.  

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