Johnathan J. Rzoska, a 41-year-old Williamsville resident, has been sentenced to three years in prison and three years of post-release supervision. The sentence was handed down by Erie County Court Judge Suzanne Maxwell Barnes. Rzoska was found guilty of sending threatening text messages, violating an existing protection order. The victim reported these threats to the Amherst Police Department on December 16, 2022, resulting in a temporary protection order for the victim and his family.
Rzoska also made threats against the Erie County Court building and the Williamsville Village Court building. These threats led to the evacuation and police search of both buildings. Rzoska was arrested upon his arrival at the Williamsville Village Court for a scheduled appearance.
Rzoska pleaded guilty on November 13, 2023, to two counts of Making a Terroristic Threat, one count of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, one count of Tampering with a Witness in the Third Degree, and one count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree. His plea was entered just as jury selection for his trial was set to begin.