Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita, III announced that 17 year old Troy Jones of 75 Reo Avenue, Cheektowaga, pleaded guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, and two counts of Attempted Burglary in the Third Degree before Erie County Court Judge Thomas P. Franczyk.    

Regarding the defendant’s conviction for Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2^nd Degree, a class “C” violent felony, punishable by a minimum of 3½ years and a maximum of 15 years in state prison, on January 18, 2013 Jones illegally possessed a loaded and operable revolver while on Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga.  Jones attempted to discard the gun while running from the police, but was ultimately caught after a foot chase. Despite the seriousness of the crime and his flight from the police, bail was set at $250 by the Cheektowaga Town Justice and the defendant was released from custody.

Regarding the defendant’s conviction for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 4^th Degree, on February 25, 2013, while out on bail for a felony weapon’s possession charge, Jones was found in possession of stolen copper wiring and power tools, stolen from Harlan Electric Company, at his Cheektowaga home. The Cheektowaga Town Justice again set bail at $250 and the defendant was again released from custody. 

Shockingly, Jones committed additional felonies. Regarding the defendant’s convictions for Attempted Burglary in the 3^rd Degree, on March 24, 2013 Jones broke into two Buffalo businesses (Clinton Auto Wrecking and Metalico). Since these crimes were committed in the City of Buffalo, the defendant was arraigned in Buffalo City Court where higher bail was set and the defendant was remanded to the custody of the Erie County Sheriff.

The case was successfully prosecuted by ADA John Feroleto, a member of DA Sedita’s recently formed Tactical Prosecution Unit. DA Sedita also praised the efforts of the Cheektowaga and Buffalo Police Departments, noting: “Because of their diligence and dogged determination, the defendant was made to answer for his many crimes.” 

Jones faces a maximum prison sentence of 29 years when he is sentenced on July 31, 2013 before Judge Franczyk.