Three More Gun Toting Thugs Prosecuted to Fullest Extent of the Law

Modified: December 4, 2014 11:06am

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10/10/2014

Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that 23 year- old Jesus Morales of 40 Delaware Ave. in the City of Buffalo pleaded guilty as charged to Robbery in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before Acting Supreme Court Justice Russell P. Buscaglia. These were the highest charges for which the defendant could have been convicted had he gone to trial. In other words, Morales did not receive a so-called “plea bargain” and was instead prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

On September 18, 2013, Morales and his girlfriend made arrangements to sell Lortabs to the eventual robbery victim.  Once the victim was lured into Morales’ vehicle, Morales pulled out a loaded firearm, held it to the victim’s head and said, “Give me the money or I’ll blow your head off”. Morales then pistol-whipped the victim and stole her cash and jewelry before kicking her out of the car. 

In his haste to make a quick getaway, Morales ran a stop a sign at the intersection of William and Davey Street in the City of Buffalo and crashed into another vehicle.  The crash disabled Morales’ vehicle, causing him to abandon it and flee on foot.  Buffalo and Cheektowaga police officers were unable to find Morales that day but they did recover a loaded firearm in his path of flight. That loaded firearm was later linked to Morales through DNA analysis. 

Two months later, Morales was tracked down by New York State Police Investigator Kevin Kendall and taken into custody. Morales laughably claimed that he was the “real” crime victim and that he was acting in self-defense, despite the fact that he ran away from the crime scene with a loaded gun hid from the authorities for two months.  Likely realizing the absurdity of such a claim, Morales pleaded guilty as charged shortly before his trial was to commence.

No stranger to law enforcement, Morales has previously been convicted of Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, and Conspiracy to Introduce Prison Contraband. Morales faces a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 25 years in state prison when he is sentenced by Justice Buscaglia on November 28, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. 

The case was successfully prosecuted by Eugene T. Partridge, III, who is assigned to DA Sedita’s Tactical Prosecution Unit.

DA Sedita also announces that 23 year-old Maurice Parks, Jr. of Guilford Street in the City of Buffalo pleaded guilty as charged to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before Erie County Court Judge Thomas P. Franczyk.  This is the highest charge for which the defendant could have been convicted had he gone to trial. In other words, Morales did not receive a so-called “plea bargain” and was instead prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

On May 19, 2014 at 10:45 p.m., Buffalo Police Officer Paul Fitzpatrick of heard gunshots while on patrol near Rodney Avenue. Officer Fitzpatrick and fellow officers pulled over a fleeing vehicle occupied by Parks and his unlicensed but unloaded 9mm handgun.  The Buffalo Police Crime Scene Unit recovered spent shell casings, three of which were ultimately matched through ballistics to the handgun, demonstrating that it had indeed been loaded and fired by Parks moments before his arrest.

Parks faces a minimum of 3½ years and a maximum of 15 years in state prison when he is sentenced on November 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. by Judge Franczyk. 

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Kristi M. Ahlstrom who is assigned to DA Sedita’s Felony Trial Bureau.

DA Sedita finally announces that 17 year-old Melvin Williams of 162 Sprenger Avenue in the City of Buffalo pleaded guilty as charged to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before Erie County Court Judge Thomas P. Franczyk. This is the highest charge for which Williams could have been convicted had he gone to trial. In other words, Morales did not receive a so-called “plea bargain” and was instead prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

On May 7, 2014, while in the vicinity of Decker and Olympic Avenue in the City of Buffalo, Williams possessed a loaded .12 gauge Savage Arms sawed off shotgun. Luckily, Buffalo Police Lieutenant Paul Flanagan and Officer Joseph Mullen apprehended Williams before he could commit additional crimes and/or wreak general havoc upon society. 

Unless he is adjudicated as a so-called “Youthful Offender” by the court, Williams faces a minimum of 3½ years and a maximum of 15 years in state prison when he is sentenced by Judge Franczyk on December 16, 2014 at 2:00 P.M.  

The case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Smith, who is assigned to DA Sedita’s Felony Trial Bureau.