Jury Finds Defendant Guilty of Predatory Sexual Assault of Child

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that a jury found Claude T. Tortora, 57, formerly of Amherst, guilty of one count of Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child (Class A-II felony). Jurors rendered their decision yesterday afternoon after nearly two days of deliberation following a five-day trial, convicting the defendant of the sole count in the indictment.

Between on or about June 1, 2013, and on or about April 5, 2018, the defendant engaged in acts of sexual conduct with a child who was less than 13-years-old at a location in the Town of Amherst. The defendant was known to the victim. In February 2024, the defendant, who was then residing in Prescott, Arizona, was apprehended in Buffalo to face prosecution.

Tortora faces a maximum of 25 years to life in prison when he is sentenced before Erie County Court Judge James F. Bargnesi on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. He continues to be held without bail. A temporary order of protection issued on behalf of the victim remains in effect.

DA Keane commends Detective James Doane of the Amherst Police Department, ECDA Confidential Criminal Investigator Jason Mayhook, ECDA victim advocate Nicole Haffa and the Child Advocacy Center at BestSelf for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Meredith M. Mohun of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Christine O. Murray of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.