Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 21-year-old Christian R. McCaffrey of Williamsville pleaded guilty last Thursday before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to one count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor).

Between August 16, 2019 and December 21, 2019, the defendant intentionally harassed the victim through phone calls and text messages.

McCaffrey faces a maximum of 1 year in jail when he is sentenced on October 7, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

DA Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department for their work in the investigation. DA Flynn also recognizes Confidential Criminal Investigators Kevin Brinkworth, Mike Nigrelli and Bobby Yeates for their work in this case.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Bussi of the Felony Trials Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Rachel Kranitz McPhee of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau.

A co-defendant, 29-year-old Dino A. Bruscia of Buffalo, was also indicted for his alleged involvement in another crime that involved the same victim. His case remains pending. Bruscia is charged with one count of Arson in the Third Degree (Class “C” felony)

It is alleged that on December 22, 2019, at approximately 5:00 a.m., Bruscia, with the intent to cause damage to the victim’s home, fired a flare gun at a house on Arcadian Drive in the Town of Amherst to start a fire. The arson caused damage to the dining room of the victim’s residence.

Bruscia is scheduled to appear before Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on April 3, 2023 for a jury trial. He remains released on his own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail. If convicted, Bruscia faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

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