Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 36-year-old Dennis J. White of Buffalo pleaded guilty, as charged, this morning before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to the following offenses: 

• Two counts of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors)
• Four counts of Menacing in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors)
• Three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanors)
• One count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)

Between the late evening hours of January 10, 2021 and into the early morning hours of January 11, 2021, the defendant, while working as an unlicensed bail enforcement agent, was searching for a fugitive who was wanted on a bench warrant from Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. The defendant unlawfully searched residence of the fugitive’s brother on Oakdale Place in the City of Buffalo after he forcibly entered the home while armed with a what appeared to be a rifle or shotgun.

The defendant admitted that he knowingly and unlawfully entered the victim’s residence as well as an occupied upstairs apartment. The defendant intentionally placed the victims in reasonable fear of injury or death by pointing the gun at the homeowner, his fiancé and two upstairs tenants. Three children were home at the time of the incident. While unlawfully searching the home, the defendant also intentionally caused damage to a door to gain access to the upstairs apartment.

The defendant remains released on his own recognizance as all of the charges are non-qualifying for bail. At the time of arraignment, prosecutors requested that Judge Maxwell Barnes impose non-monetary conditions. Today, Judge Maxwell Barnes continued those conditions, which order the defendant to remain in New York State and to stay away from all of the victims.

White faces a maximum of one year in jail when he is sentenced on Friday, February 11, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

DA Flynn commends Detective Franklyn King of the Buffalo Police Department for his work in the investigation.  

The case was prosecuted by Chief Rachel L. Newton of the Felony Trials Bureau.