Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 52-year-old John Cinelli of Grand Island has been arraigned before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on an indictment charging him with one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class “B” felony, one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class “C” felony, and one count of Petit Larceny, a Class “A” misdemeanor.

It is alleged that the defendant, while working as a paramedic for the Town of Tonawanda, stole various prescription medications from a drug drop-off box located in the lobby of the town police department.

Cinelli was released on his own recognizance. A return date has not been scheduled at this time.

If convicted on all charges, Cinelli faces a maximum sentence of 9 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends Lieutenant Tom Moore, Captain Joe Fennell and Lieutenant Timothy Hark of the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alicia M. Lilley of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau.  

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