BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Williamsville man has pleaded guilty for making threats towards courthouses and for threatening a witness in a criminal case.
Johnathan J. Rzoska, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of making a Terroristic Threat, one count of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, one count of Tampering with a Witness in the Third Degree and one count of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree.
Investigators with the Erie County District Attorney's Office say the victim called Amherst Police to report he had received a threatening text message from Rzoska on December 16, 2022. Rzoska sent the text message knowing her was violating an existing protection order.
Rzoska previously sent a threatening text message to the victim on September 6, 2022, which prompted the order of protection for the victim and his family.
That same day, investigator say Rzoska called the Erie County Central Police Services who threatened to "blow up" the Erie County Court building and Williamsville Village Court building. Both buildings had to be evacuated and searched by police.
Rzoska was scheduled to appear in court that day and was taken into custody in the parking lot of the Williamsville Village Court building.
Rzoska faces up to seven years in prison when he is sentenced January 17, 2024. He remains in jail without bail.
