Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Pablo E. Alicea of Buffalo has been arraigned before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio on an indictment charging him with the following:

• One count of Attempted Murder in the First Degree, a Class “A-I” felony
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” felony
• Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, Class “B” felonies

It is alleged that on May 18, 2020, at approximately 10:41 a.m., the Buffalo Police Department executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence on the 2000 block of Niagara Street. As law enforcement entered the home with the warrant, the defendant allegedly jumped out of a window and encountered a member of the Buffalo Police SWAT team outside. The defendant is accused of firing a shot at the officer with an illegal gun, which struck a wooden post. The officer returned fire. No one was injured, and the defendant was apprehended after a brief foot chase.

Investigators allegedly recovered a quantity of heroin from inside the home.

Alicea is scheduled to return on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. for pre-trial conference. He remains held without bail.

If convicted on all charges, he faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

Two other individuals were also arrested during the execution of the search warrant on Niagara Street. One individual was not indicted by the Grand Jury and the case has been dismissed.

The other individual, Cesarae Thomas, 40, of Buffalo was also arraigned today before Judge DiTullio on an indictment charging him with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” felony. The defendant allegedly had a loaded, illegal gun on his person at the time of his arrest.

Thomas is scheduled to return on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. for pre-trial conference. Judge DiTullio continued his $75,000 bail previously posted in Buffalo City Court.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department Intelligence Unit and SWAT Team for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney John P. Gerken, Jr. of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit. 

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