Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 45-year-old Kristopher D. Kinsella of Town of Tonawanda was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges to 5 years of probation. 

On Thursday, May 4, 2023, at approximately 4:25 a.m., Town of Tonawanda Police officers responded to a reported domestic incident. During the investigation, investigators seized three pistols, two semi-automatic rifles and one shotgun from the defendant’s home. Both semi-automatic rifles, considered to be illegal assault weapons, were equipped with detachable magazines and pistol grips.

At the time of the incident, Kinsella was employed as a senior code enforcement officer for the Town of Tonawanda. Following his arrest, the defendant was placed on administrative leave. He was later terminated from the position in June 2023. 

Kinsella pleaded guilty to two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class “D” felonies), the highest counts, on October 30, 2023. Today, he was sentenced to a 5-year term of probation on each count to run concurrently.  A final order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim, which remains in effect for the next 8 years. 

DA Flynn commends the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their work in this investigation. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rachel M. Vicario of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau.   



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