Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Yasir S. Creach, 44, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Sheila A. DiTullio to one count of Aggravated Harassment of a Judge (Class “E” felony). The defendant entered a guilty plea to the highest sustainable charge.
On Monday, February 24, 2025, the victim received a threatening letter from an inmate who was serving a local jail sentence in the Erie County Correctional Facility. The victim, who currently serves as a Cheektowaga Town Court Justice, imposed a sentence of 90 days in jail after the defendant pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Petit Larceny (Class “B” misdemeanor) on February 6, 2025. The defendant sent the letter with the intent to harass, which placed the victim and his family in reasonable fear of harm.
The defendant is the first person to be charged and convicted under New York State Penal Law 240.33 “Aggravated Harassment of a Judge” in Erie County. This crime involves a person who engages in threatening communication and/or physical contact with the intent to harass a judge or a member of their immediate family, and the perpetrator knows or should know that such an act will place the victim(s) in reasonable fear of harm. This crime was added to the New York State Penal Code effective July 19, 2024, after the legislation was passed as part of last year’s state budget.
Creach faces a maximum of four years in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. He was held without bail pending sentence. A temporary order of protection issued on behalf of the victim remains in effect.
DA Keane commends the Cheektowaga Police Department for their work in this investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Felony Trials Bureau.
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