Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that 24 year old Shawn Saunders of 205 Oxford Avenue, Buffalo, pleaded, as charged, to two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller.  These are the highest charges for which Saunders could have been convicted had he gone to trial. 

On March 4, 2012, NFTA officers were advised of an individual with a gun near the Main and Utica rail station.  NFTA officers observed Saunders matching the description with a bulge at his waistband.  Saunders led officers on a chase.  During that time, the NFTA officers saw Saunders take out a loaded gun and throw it on the ground shortly before being apprehended.  Saunders was released on bail. While out on bail, Saunders was again arrested on June 15, 2012 after Buffalo Police responded to a call of a man with a gun near Fillmore and French.  Saunders again led officers on a chase and was apprehended hiding in shrubbery next to a loaded pistol. 

Saunders faces a maximum prison sentence of 30 years on each count when he is sentenced on November 30, 2012 at 9:30 a.m. before Justice Boller and has been remanded without bail.