Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 44-year-old James Horace of Lackawanna pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice John L. Michalski to one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, a “D” felony, and one count of Attempted Strangulation in the Second Degree, an “E” felony. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest charge contained in the indictment. 

In March 2018, the defendant used a firearm to force the victim to remain in his apartment after she indicated to him that she wished to leave. Subsequently, the defendant intentionally applied pressure on the victim’s throat and neck, causing her to lose consciousness.

Horace faces a maximum indeterminate sentence of 3 ½ to 7 years in prison when he is sentenced on May 2 at 9:30 a.m. 

DA Flynn commends Captain Aaron Brennan, Detective Michael Pienta, and Officers Nicholas DeSantis and Jason Szentesy of the Lackawanna Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Meghan E. Leydecker and Katharine S. Lavin of the DA’s Special Victims Bureau.