Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 58-year-old William J. Collins, Sr. of Lockport was arraigned this morning before Lockport City Judge William J. Watson on one count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor).
It is alleged that on Thursday, October 26, 2023, at approximately 12:00 p.m., the defendant intentionally damaged the property of another person by slashing a tire on the passenger side of the victim’s pickup truck. The alleged crime occurred while the victim’s vehicle was parked outside of a tavern on the 600 block of West Avenue in the City of Lockport.
Collins currently serves as a Niagara County Legislator. In November 2023, the Niagara County District Attorney’s Office submitted a petition, requesting that the Court appoint a Special Prosecutor to handle the prosecution of the case. Niagara County Court Judge Caroline A. Wojtaszek granted the order and appointed our office to serve as the Special Prosecutor.
Collins is scheduled to return on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. 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.
DA Flynn commends the City of Lockport Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney William Szczepanski and Chief Lauren Nash 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.
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