(WNY News Now) – Buffalo, NY – Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 31-year-old Corfu man was arraigned yesterday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Shannon M. Heneghan on one count of Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Second Degree (Class “E” felony) and one count of Making a Threat of Mass Harm (Class “B” misdemeanor).
It is alleged that on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at approximately 5:14 a.m., Lordseth Phoenix falsely reported in a phone call to 911 that an explosive device would be placed inside of a parking garage at Buffalo General Medical Center. The hospital was subsequently searched and cleared by security officers and members of the Buffalo Police Department. The defendant is accused of making a threat of mass harm with the intent to create public alarm and cause reasonable expectation or fear of serious physical injury or death in a place of assembly.
The defendant was later identified as the suspect and arrested on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. He was issued an appearance ticket to be arraigned this morning.
Phoenix is scheduled to return on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was released on his own recognizance.
If convicted of the charge, Phoenixfaces a maximum sentence of 4 years in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jamie E. Englerth 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.
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