BUFFALO, N.Y. — A former Assistant District Attorney for Erie County faces a new charge - criminal possession of cannabis, which is a felony.
That's on top of two misdemeanor charges 2 On Your Side found out about on Thursday.
De'Lenci Shannon-Brown pleaded not guilty to all three charges just a few hours ago in Buffalo City Court. Our cameras weren't allowed in the courtroom, but we saw Shannon-Brown leaving the courthouse Friday afternoon after he was released on his own recognizance.
Shannon-Brown was fired from his job as an Assistant District Attorney after his arrest on Wednesday when he was charged with two misdemeanors - Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs and Official Misconduct. It's a job the 28-year-old just started in June.
On Friday, Buffalo Police told us about a third charge - criminal possession of cannabis, a felony. Police allege Shannon-Brown was in possession of nearly 12 pounds of marijuana, which they found on Hartwell Road in North Buffalo earlier on Friday.
This all unfolded as part of the investigation where Buffalo Police linked Shannon-Brown to an ongoing case through cell phone records. The acting Erie County D.A. told us Thursday that Shannon-Brown is accused of sharing confidential information with a convicted felon. That's the official misconduct charge.
"Nobody is above the law. You know, we hire our attorneys and our support staff and we entrust them with confidential information, and it's an outrage that this behavior took place. It's an outrage that he violated that trust, and, you know, of course I should always say these are allegations at this point. He is innocent until proven guilty," said Michael Keane, Acting Erie County District Attorney.
The DWAI charge comes from the sheriff's department saying they caught Shannon-Brown smoking marijuana when he was pulled over and arrested.
The Niagara County D.A.'s Office is handling the misdemeanor charges since Shannon-Brown used to work at the Erie County D.A.'s office. A spokesperson for that office told 2 On Your Side Friday afternoon they're also requesting a special prosecutor for the latest charge.
Shannon-Brown's attorneys and the special prosecutor did not speak with us after the arraignment.
The judge scheduled his next court appearance for September 5.
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