A former Western New York police officer has pleaded guilty to impeding a federal officer.
U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that 51-year-old Gregory Trotter, of Williamsville, entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $100,000 fine.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A.C. Penrose, who is prosecuting the case, the charge stems from a September 2022 meeting between Trotter and a special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
At the time, Trotter was serving as a detective with the Amherst Police Department. The FBI agent sought to question him about his involvement in a 2019 investigation into the alleged theft of a Rolex watch belonging to Peter Gerace.
During the interview, the agent repeatedly asked Trotter whether Gerace had contacted him while the investigation was ongoing to inquire about its status. Trotter denied any such contact.
Prosecutors said Trotter reacted with disproportionate emotion during the exchange, becoming physically animated and losing his professional composure. Because Trotter was a trained law enforcement officer and potentially armed at the time, officials stated that his conduct intentionally impeded the agent in carrying out official duties.
“This defendant, a police officer, who was sworn to protect and serve, intentionally impeded the duties of another sworn law enforcement officer, and as a result, he now stands convicted of committing a federal crime,” DiGiacomo said in a statement.
The FBI investigated the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 22.
