Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 50-year-old Tariq Nawaz of East Amherst was sentenced yesterday afternoon by Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case to an indeterminate sentence of 18 years to life in prison.  

Over a period of time not less than three months in duration, the defendant engaged in two or more acts of sexual conduct against a child. The defendant knowingly acted in a manner likely to be injurious to the physical, mental, or moral welfare of the same child victim.

Nawaz was convicted of one count of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child (Class “A-II” felony) and on one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanor) on August 30, 2019. Judge Case rendered his verdict after a nearly four-week bench trial.

An order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim, which remains in effect until 2120.

DA Flynn commends Victim Advocate Nicole M. Haffa of the DA’s Office Victim/Witness Bureau, (Retired) Lt. August Canna, Det. Mark Pittiri, and Det. James Doane of the Amherst Police Department as well as Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Deborah Dee for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bethany A. Solek of the DA’s Special Victims Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Timothy J. Garvin of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau.