Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 31-year-old Juan Carlos Escalante Gudiel of no permanent address was arraigned on Thursday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Samuel P. Davis, Jr. on one count of Forcible Touching, one count of Assault in the Third Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors), one count of Attempted Sexual Misconduct and one count of Harassment in the First Degree (Class “B” misdemeanors).
It is alleged that on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at approximately 10:40 a.m., Buffalo Police officers responded to a report of an attempted sexual assault on the 300 block of Virginia Street. The defendant is accused of assaulting and attempting to engage in sexual conduct with the victim after following her onto a residential porch. The defendant, who was not known to the victim, allegedly fled after witnesses intervened during the attack. The defendant, who matched the description of the suspect, was arrested nearby a short time later.
Escalante Gudiel is scheduled to return for a report back on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. He was held without bail pending the results of a forensic examination.
If convicted of the charges, Escalante Gudiel faces a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
Acting DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation as well as the Good Samaritans who intervened during the alleged assault.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Krista R. DeAntonis of the Buffalo City Court Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
