Lockport, N.Y. (WBEN) - A Niagara County lawmaker is now facing a Criminal Mischief charge following the slashing of a tire of a pickup truck outside a tavern in the City of Lockport.
Niagara County Legislator William Collins, Sr. (R) was arraigned Wednesday morning in Lockport City Court on one count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, which is a Class “A” misdemeanor.
It is alleged that on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 at approximately 12 p.m. ET, the 58-year-old Collins, Sr. intentionally damaged the property of another person by slashing a tire on the passenger side of the victim’s truck. The alleged crime occurred while the victim’s vehicle was parked outside of the tavern on the 600 block of West Avenue.
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In November 2023, the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office submitted a petition, requesting the Court to appoint a Special Prosecutor to handle the prosecution of the case. Niagara County Court Judge Caroline Wojtaszek granted the order and appointed the Erie County District Attorney's Office to serve as the Special Prosecutor.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney William Szczepanski and Chief Lauren Nash of the Justice Courts Bureau.
Collins is scheduled to return on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. EST for a pre-trial conference. He was released on his own recognizance, as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.
If convicted of the charge, Collins faces a maximum of one year in jail.
