(WNY News Now) – A 51-year-old man from Mountain Home, Arkansas, formerly of Franklinville, New York, has pleaded guilty to one count of Menacing in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime and one count of Bail Jumping in the Second Degree.
Buffalo – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced thatMichael J. Cremen, a 51-year-old man from Mountain Home, Arkansas, has pleaded guilty to charges related to a hate crime and bail jumping before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller. Cremen, who had been released on his own recognizance, admitted to the highest charges in both indictments brought against him.
The incident took place on August 28, 2020, at approximately 6:30 p.m., on Hertel Avenue near Parkside Avenue in Buffalo. Cremen used racial slurs while menacing protesters with a knife during a demonstration, and he also physically pushed one protester.
Cremen’s legal troubles escalated as he repeatedly failed to appear in court, leading to a bench warrant. His failure to attend a court proceeding in February 2022, and subsequently missing a re-scheduled appearance in March 2022, prompted the issuance of the warrant.
In December 2022, law enforcement in Arkansas took Cremen into custody on the basis of an outstanding bench warrant and an indictment warrant related to bail jumping. Subsequently, he was extradited to Western New York by the U.S. Marshals Service to face charges. During this time, Cremen was held without bail.
When he is sentenced on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., Cremen faces a maximum prison term of 4 years. As of today, he has been released on his own recognizance.
Leave a Reply