BUFFALO, NY (PRESS RELEASE) – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 52-year-old Joseph S. Chowaniec of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Andrew C. LoTempio on one count of Making a Terroristic Threat (Class “D” felony).
It is alleged that on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at approximately 12:05 p.m., the defendant made a phone call to a pizzeria located on Delaware Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendant allegedly spoke with an employee and made a threat with the intent to intimidate or coerce that created a reasonable expectation of fear. The pizzeria closed for the day after the alleged incident.
It is further alleged that on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at approximately 12:47 p.m., the defendant placed a second phone call to a brewery located in downtown Buffalo. The defendant allegedly spoke with an employee and made a threat with the intent to intimidate or coerce that created a reasonable expectation of fear.
In both alleged threats, the defendant allegedly made a reference to the shooting that occurred at Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue in the City of Buffalo.
Chowaniec is scheduled to return on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was remanded without bail pending the results of a forensic examination.
Judge LoTempio issued temporary no-contact orders of protection on behalf of the victims, which includes their place of employment.