2 days ago
Chief of Narcotics admits to reckless driving after multiple crashes last April
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Erie County Sheriff's Office chief of narcotics pleaded guilty Friday to charges of reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident following a string of hit-and-runs last April.
Chief D.J. Granville was sentenced to 50 hours of community service and a $600 fine for one count of reckless driving and one count of leaving the scene of a property damage accident. The Erie County Sheriff's Office said that Granville is being suspended 'without pay effective immediately, based upon his guilty plea.'
Granville is accused of hitting six cars and damaging seven back in April 2024, ultimately causing nearly $60,000 in damages. The public was only made aware of it in March 2025.
The hit-and-runs occurred on two different streets on Buffalo's West Side. Granville was allegedly on prescribed medication at the time.
He was placed on paid administrative leave on April 14 while five other officers were also placed on leave in connection with the incident. At the time, he was issued three tickets for leaving the scene of an accident.
Niagara County District Attorney Brian Seaman was appointed as a special prosecutor of the case following a conflict of interest with the Erie County District Attorney's Office.
Seaman said his goal in the prosecution was to do what he would do for anyone else.
'Yes, from my perspective, from my office's perspective, we handled this like we would've anybody else,' he said. 'Now, there's a different question when you ask about what happened the night of the incident on the scene and whether or not the Buffalo police officers who responded if they treated this like they would anyone else.'
Seaman then went on to say he received 'no cooperation' from the Buffalo police officers who responded on the night of the incident.
'I found that to be very frustrating and disappointing,' he said.
Erie County Sheriff John Garcia released the following statement:
When asked about Granville receiving a misdemeanor and not a felony, Seaman said a misdemeanor was the highest possible charge.
'I guess just wanna say this, too, for a law enforcement officer to come into court and plead guilty to a misdemeanor, that is not a small thing,' he said. 'I don't think Mr. Granville left here today thinking he got off with nothing happening, he pled guilty to a crime.'
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Chief of Narcotics admits to reckless driving after multiple crashes last April
Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.
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