Buffalo Woman Ordered to Perform Community Service for Obstructing Police Looting Investigation

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Cariol J. Horne, 57, of Buffalo, was sentenced this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Tiffany R. Perry to a one-year conditional discharge. As a condition of her sentence, Horne was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service.

On Sunday, December 25, 2022, at approximately 10:50 p.m., Buffalo Police Patrol Officers observed two women place suspected stolen merchandise into a vehicle outside of a store on the 2800 block of Bailey Avenue. The store was closed at the time due to a severe winter storm that shut down the entire City of Buffalo. Earlier in the officers' shift, they had responded to the same location several times for similar activity.

On that Christmas evening, the Buffalo Police Department had a limited number of patrol vehicles available due to the heavy snow accumulation. Due to the need for first responders, the patrol officers were operating an unmarked detective vehicle that was not equipped to detain or transport suspects. Therefore, the two adult female suspects, who were dressed in winter attire, were handcuffed and seated on the ground.

While the officers were conducting their investigation, the defendant approached one of the officers and demanded that the suspects be removed from the ground. The defendant intentionally obstructed the investigation by refusing multiple commands by the patrol officer to leave the area. The defendant prevented the officer from performing his official duties by means of intimidation, physical force and interference by continuing to argue with the officer, pointing her finger in his face and striking him once in the chest with her hand while refusing his commands. After being struck by the defendant, the officer grabbed the defendant's jacket to detain her then placed her under arrest.

In May 2025, a jury found Horne guilty of one count of Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree (Class A misdemeanor). Jurors rendered their decision after approximately 90 minutes of deliberation following a six-day trial, convicting the defendant of the highest charge.

DA Keane commends Officer Dyjon Robinson and Officer Edward Byrd of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Samantha N. King of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Jamie E. Englerth of the Justice Courts Bureau.