Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 48-year-old Jason C. Stachowski of Buffalo pleaded guilty this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Betty Calvo-Torres, a designated Buffalo Veterans Court judge, to one count of Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree (Class “D” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.

In late December 2021, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip regarding an inmate who was in possession of a cell phone at the Erie County Correctional Facility in the Town of Alden. Deputies conducted a search of the jail where they found a cell phone and a phone charger. An investigation determined that the defendant, while working as a corrections officer with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, knowingly and unlawfully brought dangerous contraband into the jail by providing the cell phone to an inmate.

The case against Stachowski remains pending in Buffalo Veterans Court. Upon successful completion of the program, the charge will be reduced to one count of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor). He continues to remain released on his own recognizance.

DA Flynn commends Erie County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit, Intelligence Unit, Professional Standards Division and Jail Management Division personnel for their work in this investigation.  

The case was prosecuted by Chief John P. Gerken, Jr. of the Narcotics Unit and Assistant District Attorney Gary M. Ertel of the Public Integrity Unit.