Prison officer on leave from Hamburg arrested for possession of weapons

Archive photo. (Source: Getty Images)

BUFFALO, NY (WIVB) — A New York State correctional officer on administrative leave was arrested and charged with a weapons offense, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

Officials said Matthew Zamborowski, 48, of Hamburg, was charged in a criminal complaint with possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person subject to a domestic violence protection order. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

According to the complaint, an Erie County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on Route 219 on May 6 after noticing that the vehicle had a surrendered license plate. Zamborowski then allegedly told the deputy that he was concealing a firearm on his right hip and that he was a New York State correctional officer, prosecutors said.

Officials said when the sheriff asked for his driver’s license, Zamborowski replied he did not have one and that he could face problems in court due to unpaid traffic tickets.

When the deputy returned to his vehicle and confirmed Zamborowski’s license status, he saw that he had been served with a restraining order requiring him to surrender any firearms in his possession, officials said.

Zamborowski was subsequently arrested. The complaint also stated that he allegedly had five other firearms in the trunk of his vehicle.

The law firm said an investigation at the Albion Correctional Facility in New York State revealed that Zamborowski had been on leave since February and had been required to surrender his badge and identification card.

He was then taken to the Erie County Holding Center.