Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Erie County District Attorney John Flynn announced on Tuesday that Jason Stachowski of Buffalo pleaded guilty before Buffalo City Court Judge Betty Calvo-Torres to one count of Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree (Class "D" felony).
The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest sustainable charge.
In late December of 2021, the Erie County Sheriff's Office received an anonymous tip regarding an inmate who was in possession of a cell phone at the Erie County Correctional Facility in the Town of Alden. Deputies conducted a search of the jail, where they found a cell phone and a phone charger.
An investigation determined that Stachowski, while working as a corrections officer with the Erie County Sheriff's Office, knowingly and unlawfully brought dangerous contraband into the jail by providing the cell phone to an inmate.
The case against the 48-year-old remains pending in Buffalo Veterans Court.
Upon successful completion of the program, the charge will be reduced to one count of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree (Class "A" misdemeanor).
He continues to remain released on his own recognizance.
The case was prosecuted by Chief John Gerken, Jr. of the Narcotics Unit and Assistant District Attorney Gary Ertel of the Public Integrity Unit.
