15 people charged during demonstration against UB; Buffalo woman arrested

Acting Erie County Prosecutor Michael J. Keane announces that Jazmine C. Frazier, 33, of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Judge Kara A. Buscaglia in Amherst Municipal Court on one count of Resisting Arrest (Class “A” Misdemeanor) and one count of Loitering (Violation ).

It is alleged that on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at approximately 8:22 p.m., the defendant, while attending a protest at the University of Buffalo’s North Campus, failed to comply with police orders to disperse the area for violating the university’s policy prohibiting late-night assemblies. Officers placed the defendant’s hands in plastic handcuffs after she allegedly refused to cooperate during her arrest. It is further alleged that the accused resisted arrest by attempting to break the plastic handcuffs. She is also accused of trying to prevent the officers from accompanying her to their patrol vehicle by lying on the ground.

University police filed charges against 14 other people for their alleged conduct that same evening. All defendants have been charged with violations, which will be handled by the city prosecutor.

Frazier is scheduled to return on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. for a pretrial conference. She was released on her own recognizance as the charges are not bailable offences.

If convicted of the highest charge, Frazier faces a maximum sentence of one year in prison.

Acting DA Keane commends the University at Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mitchell C. Boughton of the Office of Justice Courts.

Like all people accused of a crime, the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.