Jury Finds Defendant Guilty of Violating Order of Protection After Assaulting and Threatening Intimate Partner

Monday, October 7, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces thata jury has found Perez Aughtry, 42, of Buffalo guilty of one count of Intimidating a Victim or Witness in the Third Degree (Class "E" felony), one count of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree (Class "E" felony), and one count of Assault in the Third Degree (Class "A" misdemeanor). Jurors rendered their decision late Friday afternoon after approximately four hours of deliberation following a four-day trial.

On Sunday, September 12, 2021, the defendant caused physical injury to the victim by punching the victim in the face.

On Friday, December 3, 2021, after a separate incident that occurred in the Rochester area and was reported to the police earlier that day, the defendant approached the victim outside of her workplace in the Town of Cheektowaga. The defendant intimidated the victim by threatening physical injury if she did not tell police that she had lied about the earlier reported incident. A witness called 911 and the defendant was subsequently arrested. The following day, the defendant was arraigned in Cheektowaga Town Court where a no-contact order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.

Between December 5, 2021, through December 9, 2021, the defendant called the victim's phone over 40 times while knowingly in violation of an order of protection. During several phone calls, the defendant made threats toward the victim and attempted to coerce the victim from pursuing criminal charges against him.

On Friday, December 10, 2021, the defendant was arraigned in Buffalo City Court where he was held on bail set at $50,000 cash or bond. The defendant, who was on parole at the time of these crimes, was subsequently held on a parole detainer. In May 2022, Aughtry was arraigned on the indictment and held without bail.

Aughtry faces a maximum of 8 years in prison when he is sentenced before State Supreme Court Justice Kelly Vacco on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. If designated as a persistent felony offender, Aughtry could receive a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. He remains held without bail. A temporary order of protection, issued on behalf of the victim, remains in effect.

Acting DA Keane commends the Cheektowaga Police Department, Erie County Sheriff's Office, and BE SAFE victim advocate Grace Reedy for their work in these investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Chief Gina M. Gramaglia of the Special Victims/Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Leah A. Higgins of the Justice Courts Bureau.

If you or someone you know is a victim or may be at-risk of domestic violence, help is available through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program. While our staff specialize in trauma-informed support and victim advocacy following the arrest of an offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services. For more information on BE SAFE, call 716-858-4630 or visit www.erie.gov/besafe.