Judge Finds Lackawanna Man Guilty on Sex Abuse Charges

Modified: October 1, 2018 3:16pm

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10/1/2018

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi has found 51-year-old Derrick Cleveland of Lackawanna guilty on one count of Sex Abuse in the First Degree, a Class “D” felony, and two counts of Sex Abuse in the Third Degree, Class “B” misdemeanor offenses, following a four day bench trial.

On two separate occasions in April and June 2016, the defendant, who was working in a managerial role at a facility for the developmentally disabled, subjected a female co-worker to sexual contact without her consent.

On June 16, 2016, the defendant had sexual contact with a different female co-worker by forcible compulsion.

Cleveland faces a maximum of 7 years in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday, December 4 at 9:30 a.m. He continues to be released on $20,000 cash or bond.

“I hope that these two victims feel that justice has been served by the defendant being found guilty on multiple charges,” said DA Flynn. “My office will continue to investigate and prosecute these offenders to the fullest extent of the law.”

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of Detective Charles Jaworski of the Lackawanna Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Cathleen M. Roemer and Katharine S. Lavin of the DA’s Special Victims Bureau.