Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 41-year-old Raymond P. Acker of Lackawanna was sentenced on Tuesday morning before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges to a determinate sentence of 15 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision. He was sentenced as a second violent felony offender.

Shortly after midnight on June 29, 2020, the defendant subjected the female victim to physical contact by punching, kicking and choking her. The defendant had a history of reported domestic violence incidents with the victim and committed the crime while knowingly in violation of an order of protection. The incident occurred at a residence in the City of Lackawanna.

On the evening of November 1, 2020 and into the morning of November 2, 2020, the defendant unlawfully entered the victim’s home with the intent to commit a crime. The defendant again subjected the victim to physical contact by punching, kicking and choking her while knowingly in violation of an existing order of protection. The victim went to the hospital later that morning to be treated for an injury to her ear. She also suffered broken ribs and bruises on various parts of her body.

Acker pleaded guilty to one count of Burglary in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony) and one count of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree (Class “E” felony) on February 10, 2022. The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest count in the indictment ahead of his jury trial that was scheduled to commence the following week.

Judge Haendiges issued a final order of protection, which prohibits the defendant from having any contact or third-party contact with the victim. The order remains in effect until 2043.

DA Flynn commends the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program for their work in this case.

The BE SAFE program specializes in advocacy within the criminal courts. While staff work within the Erie County District Attorney’s Office, it is a separate and distinct program with six victim advocates available to provide trauma-informed support and resources to anyone impacted by domestic violence. While the program primarily works with victims who are navigating the criminal justice process and rebuilding their lives following the arrest of the offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services.

For more information on the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Advocacy Program, call 716-858-4630 or visit www.erie.gov/besafe.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Gina M. Gramaglia and Andres D. Ortiz of the Domestic Violence/Special Victims Bureau.