Defendant received conditional discharge after admitting to sending threatening texts to intimidate victims.
(WNY News Now) – LANCASTER, N.Y. — Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced that Tyler J. Vogel, 27, of Lancaster, was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge after pleading guilty to one count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, a Class “A” misdemeanor.
The plea and sentencing took place before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller. The charges stem from an incident on March 24, 2024, when Vogel sent threatening text messages to two individuals with the intent to intimidate or coerce them into ceasing participation in a high-profile civil case being heard outside Erie County.
Investigators determined that Vogel accessed the victims’ personal contact information through a paid background check website. The messages, sent separately to each victim, included threats of physical harm or death.
Vogel had previously pleaded guilty to one count of Making a Terroristic Threat, a Class “D” violent felony, and one count of Making a Threat of Mass Harm, a Class “B” misdemeanor. Under a plea agreement approved by the District Attorney and in consultation with the victims, Vogel entered an Interim Probation program, which included court-mandated mental health treatment through Erie County Mental Health Court.
Upon successfully completing the program, Vogel was allowed to withdraw his felony plea and plead guilty to the reduced misdemeanor charge. In addition to continuing counseling, he must remain law-abiding throughout the term of his sentence.
Final orders of protection were issued for both victims and will remain in effect for the next five years.
District Attorney Keane commended the New York State Police for their thorough investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Briana R.D. Kalman of the Narcotics/Intelligence Bureau and Chief Danielle N. D’Abate of the Felony Trials Bureau.
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