Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 27-year-old Dino A. Bruscia of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Cheektowaga Town Court Justice James J. Speyer, Jr. on one count of Inciting to Riot, a Class “A” misdemeanor.

It is alleged that on May 31, 2020, the defendant created an event on Facebook, encouraging a group of people to engage in tumultuous and violent conduct likely to create public alarm by looting the Walden Galleria in the Town of Cheektowaga.

The defendant was charged by Cheektowaga Police on June 1, 2020 and given an appearance ticket.

Bruscia is scheduled to return on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He was released on his own recognizance.

If convicted on the charge, he faces a maximum of 1 year in jail. 

DA Flynn commends Detectives John Skonecki and Terry Griffin Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in the investigation.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.