Cheektowaga Man Sentenced in Four Separate Cases

Friday, March 22, 2024

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 19-year-old Zachary A. Jacksonof Cheektowaga was sentenced this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges to 6 to 18 years in prison.

On Saturday, October 15, 2022, at approximately 10:41 p.m., the defendant intentionally poured lighter fluid on a family member's pickup truck and used a blowtorch to set fire to the vehicle. The fire was quickly extinguished by responding police and fire personnel, but caused significant damage to the truck. The defendant was arraigned the following day in Cheektowaga Town Court. He was released under supervision and a temporary non-offensive order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim.

On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, the defendant, with the intent to kill or cause serious physical injuries to a companion animal, attempted to drown a family member's dog in the bathtub at a home on Girard Avenue in the Town of Cheektowaga. The dog, a mixed breed terrier named "Sprocket," received emergency veterinary treatment. After his arraignment in the animal cruelty case, Jackson was held without bail.

On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at approximately 9:32 a.m., the defendant intentionally threw a liquid, believed to be urine, at a jail deputy. The incident occurred while the defendant was incarcerated at the Erie County Holding Center.

On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, the defendant attempted to cause physical injuries by kicking a jail deputy in the face while incarcerated at the Erie County Holding Center.

Jackson pleaded guilty to one count of Arson in the Third Degree (Class "C" felony), one count of Aggravated Cruelty to Animals (Class "E" felony under Agriculture and Markets Law), one count of Aggravated Harassment of an Employee by an Inmate and one count of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree (Class "E" felonies). The defendant pleaded guilty to the highest count in each case.

Today, a final order of protection was issued on behalf of the family member, which remains in effect until May 2046.

DA Flynn commendsSPCA OfficerMelina Homsi, the SPCA Serving Erie County, Cheektowaga Police Department and Erie County Sheriff's Office for their work in these investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Garvey of the Animal Cruelty Unit.