Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Christian R. McCaffrey of Williamsville has been arraigned before Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on an indictment charging him with one count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, a Class “E” felony, and three counts of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, Class “A” misdemeanors.

It is alleged that over the course of several months, between August 16, 2019 and December 21, 2019, the defendant intentionally harassed the victim through phone calls and text messages. One incident of harassment allegedly involved the use of a derogatory slur against the victim who is Jewish.

If convicted on all counts, McCaffrey faces a maximum of 4 years in prison.

A co-defendant, 27-year-old Dino A. Bruscia of Buffalo, was also arraigned before Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes on an indictment charging him with one count of Arson in the Third Degree, a Class “C” felony. 

It is alleged that on December 22, 2019, at approximately 5:00 a.m. the defendant intended to set fire to a home on Arcadian Drive in the Town of Amherst by using a flare gun. The fire caused damage to the dining room of the house, which is the residence of the victim allegedly harassed by McCaffrey.

If convicted, Bruscia faces a maximum of 15 years in jail.

McCaffrey and Bruscia are scheduled to return on Monday, August 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. Both were released on their own recognizance because the charges are non-qualifying for bail.

Judge Maxwell Barnes issued a no-contact order of protection on behalf of the victim and his family.

DA Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department for their work in the investigation. DA Flynn also recognizes Confidential Criminal Investigators Kevin Brinkworth, Mike Nigrelli, Joe Catanzaro and Bobby Yeates for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan D. Haggerty of the DA’s Tactical Prosecution Unit and Assistant District Attorney Rachel Kranitz McPhee 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.