Lancaster Man Pleads Guilty for Sending Threatening Text Messages to Victims Involved in High-Profile Civil Case

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that 26-year-old Tyler J. Vogel of Lancaster pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller to one count of Making a Terroristic Threat (Class "D" violent felony) and one count of Making a Threat of Mass Harm (Class "B" misdemeanor).

On Sunday, March 24, 2024, approximately 10:23 p.m., the defendant, with the intent to intimidate or coerce, sent threatening text messages to two victims. The defendant sent the text messages separately to each victim, which threatened physical harm or death if the victim did not comply with his demands to cease action in a pending high-profile civil case outside of Erie County. The defendant obtained the victims' phone numbers through a paid background website.

The defendant was permitted to enter the plea by Superior Court Information and participate in Interim Probation. As a condition of Interim Probation, the defendant will enter into and comply with the mandates of Mental Health Court. The Interim Probation plea agreement was approved by the Acting District Attorney in consultation with the victims who will not be identified by our office. Upon successful completion of Mental Health Court and Interim Probation, the defendant will be permitted to withdraw his plea to the felony charge and be sentenced on the misdemeanor charge.

Judge Boller released the defendant on his own recognizance under the conditions that he remain arrest-free and comply with mandates ordered by the Mental Health Court program. He is scheduled to appear before Judge Kenneth Szyszkowski in Lackawanna City Court on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 2:30 p.m.

The temporary orders of protection issued on behalf of both victims remains in effect.

Acting DA Keane commends the New York State Police for their work in this 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 Justice Courts Bureau.