Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 21-year-old Andrew Gordon, III, also known as Michael L. Vaughn, of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Shannon M. Heneghan on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree (Class “C” felony).
It is alleged that on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at approximately 6: 53 p.m., Buffalo Police responded to Donovan Drive for a report of shots fired. The officers allegedly saw the defendant, who was wanted on a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) from a prior incident, and other individuals attempting to flee by exiting a home through an upstairs window. During the investigation, officers allegedly found a loaded, illegal handgun and a quantity of suspected cocaine inside of the home. The defendant and two co-defendants, 18-year-old Cameron McCutcheon and 20-year-old Trent McBride, were subsequently arrested.
McCutcheon and McBride were also charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree (Class “C” felony). All three defendants were held without bail and scheduled to return on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing.
Gordon was also arraigned this morning before Judge Heneghan in a second criminal case. He is charged with one count of Assault in the Second Degree, one count of Criminal Trespass in the First Degree (Class “D” felonies), one count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree (Class “E” felony) and one count of Harassment in the Second Degree (violation).
It is alleged that on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at approximately 7:32 p.m., the defendant intentionally caused damage by kicking and hitting the victim’s apartment door with a hammer. The defendant, who was known to the victim, allegedly gained access to the residence by climbing through a window. While allegedly inside of the home, the defendant is accused of assaulting the victim by choking her, hitting her in the head with a handgun and placing the weapon inside of her mouth while making threats. The crime occurred at a location in the City of Buffalo. The victim reported the incident to police after the defendant fled. After police were unable to locate the defendant, a BOLO bulletin was issued.
Gordon was also arraigned this morning before Judge Heneghan in another case involving the same victim. He is charged with one count of Burglary in the First Degree (Class “B” violent felony), one count of Criminal Obstruction of Breathing or Blood Circulation, one count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors) and one count of Harassment in the Second Degree (violation).
It is alleged that on Monday, December 11, 2023, at approximately 8:02 p.m., the defendant unlawfully entered the same victim’s residence with the intent to commit a crime by climbing through a window. It is further alleged that while inside of the home, the defendant assaulted the victim and obstructed her breathing by applying pressure to her neck with his hands. The defendant is accused of displaying a weapon and making threats during the attack. The defendant is also accused of intentionally damaging cabinet doors and an exterior door of the apartment. The victim was able to flee the residence and reported the incident to police. After police were unable to locate the defendant, a second BOLO bulletin was issued.
The defendant was also arraigned this morning before Judge Heneghan in a fourth criminal case involving a stolen vehicle. He is charged with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony).
The defendant is accused of knowingly being in possession of a Jeep Cherokee Track Hawk, which was reported stolen from the driveway of a residence in the Town of Orchard Park on October 9, 2023. The following day, the vehicle was found abandoned on the 200 block of Voorhees Avenue in the City of Buffalo.
Gordon is accused of committing all four crimes while released on bail in a pending robbery case. It is alleged that on Friday, October 13, 2023, at approximately 11:25 a.m., the defendant approached the victim on West Ferry Street near Herkimer Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendant is accused of punching the victim then forcibly stole a sum of cash from the victim’s pocket. The defendant, who was not known to the victim, was arrested by Buffalo Police later the same day.
On Saturday, October 14, 2023, Gordon, under the alias Michael L. Vaughn, was arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin J. Keane on one count of Robbery in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony). Bail was set at $7,500 cash or bond. He was released later the same day after posting bond.
Our office will file a motion pursuant to CPL 510.10(4)(t) to request that the Court revoke his bail on the robbery charge and hold the defendant without bail for allegedly committing a felony involving harm to an identifiable person or property while he was released on a pending felony charge. The matter has been scheduled for Friday, January 25, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio.
Gordon is scheduled to return on his three other files on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Bail was set at $25,000 cash or bond in the assault case. Bail was also set at $25,000 cash or bond in the burglary case. Bail was set at $1 in the stolen vehicle case. A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim in the assault and burglary cases.
If convicted of the highest charge, Gordon faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department and the Orchard Park Police Department for their work in these investigations.
All of the cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Felony Trials Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
