Crack Dealer’s Second Career as Armed Robber Comes to Grinding, Screeching Halt

Modified: July 25, 2013 10:46am

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6/26/2013

Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that 22 year old Anthony Ward of 240 Box Street, Buffalo, pleaded guilty, as charged, to Attempted Robbery in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree before Erie County Court Judge Shelia A. DiTullio. These are the highest charges Ward could have been convicted had he gone to trial.

On November 15, 2012, Ward approached Larry Rainey and Lashawn Brice, who were in a car on Sweet Street. Rainey had just picked up DVDs from a friend. Ward opened the driver’s side door to the car, pointed a gun at Rainey’s head and said “gimme everything you got.” Rainey hit the accelerator and ran Ward over, breaking his leg. Unable to flee, Ward was found lying on the street by Buffalo Police Officers who responded quickly to Rainey’s 911 call. The gun used by Ward was recovered by the police just a few feet away from him. It was loaded with five rounds.

Shockingly, Ward committed these crimes while on supervised release from federal prison for his felony conviction of possessing 4.89 grams of crack cocaine with intent to distribute it.

The case was successfully prosecuted by ADA Paul Williams. Ward faces a maximum prison term of 15 years when he is sentenced before Judge DiTullio on August 22, 2013.