Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 38-year-old Jason R. Cross of East Concord was arraigned last night before Alden Town Court Justice Louis C. Mussari on three counts of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors).
It is alleged that on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, the defendant, while working as a correction officer, brought prohibited items into a secure area of the Erie County Correctional Facility. The defendant is accused of knowingly and unlawfully introducing prison contraband by bringing a vape and a lighter into the inmate area of the detention facility. The defendant is also accused of bringing a cell phone into a secure area of the facility on a previous occasion.
The defendant, who was on-duty at the time of the alleged crime, has resigned from his position with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.
Cross is scheduled to return on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. for further proceedings. He was released on his own recognizance as the charge is a non-qualifying offense for bail.
If convicted of the charge, Cross faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
DA Flynn commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Richard K. Barney, III of the Justice Courts Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
