Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 24-year-old Jayqwan A. Howard, Jr. of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on an indictment charging him with two counts of Assault in the Second Degree (Class “D” felonies).

It is alleged that on Monday, November 29, 2021, at approximately 3:29 p.m., Buffalo Police officers responded to the area of Spring Street after receiving a 911 call from the victim who reported being threatened by the defendant who stole her personal items. The officers allegedly saw the defendant driving nearby and initiated a traffic stop on Sycamore and Fox Streets. The defendant is accused of refusing orders and fighting with the officers while being placed under arrest. Both officers were taken to ECMC to be treated for various physical injuries. Both police officers continue to recover from those injuries, which have prevented them from being able to work.

Howard is scheduled to return on Friday, May 6, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. for motions. Bail was set at $50,000.

Howard also has a pending case in Buffalo City Court for the alleged domestic violence incident. It is further alleged that earlier on November 29, 2021, the defendant stole his ex-girlfriend’s license plate off of her vehicle as well as her doorbell video camera following an argument. He was arraigned on two counts of Petit Larceny (Class “A” misdemeanors) before Judge Jaharr Pridgen on November 30, 2021.

He is scheduled to return on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings.

If convicted of all charges in the indictment, Howard faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison. If convicted of both misdemeanors, he faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Briana R.D. Miller of the Felony Trials Bureau.

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