(WNY News Now) – BUFFALO, N.Y. — A 34-year-old Town of Tonawanda man has pleaded guilty to damaging a City of Buffalo flagpole and stealing a Somali flag from Niagara Square, while facing separate pending charges in Kenmore.

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced Thursday that Justin M. Eassa pleaded guilty to one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief, a Class A misdemeanor, before Buffalo City Court Judge Erin E. Hart.

According to prosecutors, Eassa intentionally damaged city-owned property during the early morning hours of July 2, 2026, by damaging a flagpole in Niagara Square and taking a Somali flag.

Investigators identified and arrested Eassa on July 8. The flag has not been recovered.

As part of the plea proceedings, prosecutors requested that Eassa pay $462 in restitution to the City of Buffalo and perform community service as part of his sentence.

Eassa faces a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. He remains released under the supervision of the Probation Department and the C.O.U.R.T.S. Program.

Eassa also faces charges in two separate cases in the Village of Kenmore.

In the first case, prosecutors allege that on August 24, Eassa subjected another person to physical contact at a Tremaine Avenue residence and damaged an air conditioning unit by pulling it out of a window. The alleged damage also affected the window and floor.

He was arraigned on charges of fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment on August 25. He was released on his own recognizance, and a temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the alleged victim.

In a separate case stemming from a September 27 incident, Eassa is charged with second-degree criminal contempt and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

According to prosecutors, Kenmore police responded to a complaint that Eassa had repeatedly driven past the alleged victim’s residence. An officer reportedly located Eassa in a parked vehicle before conducting a traffic stop on Elmwood Avenue.

During an inventory search of the vehicle, police allegedly found a bag of suspected cocaine inside a wallet belonging to Eassa.

Kenmore Village Court Justice Katherine Bestine set bail at $500 cash or $2,500 bond in that case.

Eassa is scheduled to return to Kenmore Village Court on November 10, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., for further proceedings in both pending cases.

The Buffalo Police Department and Kenmore Police Department investigated the cases. Assistant District Attorneys Christine O. Murray and Carly S. Cross are prosecuting the matters.

Eassa is presumed innocent of the pending charges unless and until proven guilty in court.