Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that a jury has returned a GUILTY verdict in the stalking trial of 40-year-old Michael Reibel of Buffalo. 

The panel deliberated three hours following the eleven day trial before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges, convicting Reibel of Stalking in the Third Degree, Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, Burglary in the Second Degree and Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree. 

Riebel was found guilty of stalking his former girlfriend and violating an order of protection several times starting May 30, 2015. The jury also found Reibel guilty of breaking into the victim’s home on July 21, 2015, abducting her and holding her against her will for several hours. 

Riebel has been remanded to jail without bail and faces a maximum sentence of 16 1/3-19 years in prison when he is sentenced by Justice Haendiges May 12, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. 

DA Flynn commends the investigative work of the East Aurora Police Department, including Lt. Patrick Welch, Lt. Dustin Waldron and Officers Robert Braeuner and Kathleen Foster. The DA also credits Buffalo Police Detective Christopher Mordino and Officer Thomas Cino for their assistance in the case. 

Assistant District Attorney James M. Marra and Chief Rachel L. Newton of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau prosecuted the case.