DEPEW, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 46-year-old Jason L. Lanning of Depew pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Deborah A. Haendiges to one count of Rape in the Third Degree, a Class “E” felony, and two counts of Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree, Class “A” misdemeanors. The defendant pleaded guilty on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
The defendant admitted to engaging in sexual intercourse with a female victim without her consent in the summer of 2016 at a location in the Village of Depew. The defendant, a former Trooper who was terminated from the New York State Police in 2010, also admitted that he falsely represented himself as a Trooper to gain the trust and personal information from two other female victims in September 2019.
Lanning faces a maximum of 4 years in prison when he is sentenced on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. He remains held without bail.
DA Flynn commends of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation for their work in the investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Chief Lynette M. Reda and Assistant District Attorney Stephen C. Earnhart of the DA’s Special Victims Unit.