Wanted Man In Erie County Responds To His Posted Mugshot

Well, this is a unique way to respond to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. 

Every week, the Erie County Sheriff’s Office will share a round-up of warrants and accompanied mugshots in their, what they call, “#WarrantWednesday” post on Facebook.

On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office shared four warrants on Facebook, and you can see those below. 

One of those four people listed found out that he was posted on the Erie County Sheriff’s Office page, and he didn’t shy away from the comments section.

Matt Fox is wanted by Erie County for charges of criminal contempt, according to the original post. 

He doesn’t seem too phased by it, though. Fox commented from his own Facebook profile, almost challenging the police to come and get him. 

Honestly, Fox seemed more concerned with the poor choice in photo. 

I mean, hey – the Erie County Sheriff’s Office was kind enough to offer to update the photo. 

While a lot of the comments were poking fun at the weird situation unfolding on Facebook with Matt Fox, some people were trying to figure out what it means to be charged with criminal contempt in New York State. 

What Is Criminal Contempt in New York State?

Under New York Penal Code § 215.51, you will have committed the crime of criminal contempt in the first degree if you refuse to cooperate with a grand jury or if you violate an Order of Protection. 

These crimes are punishable with sentences up to one year in jail and four years in state prison respectively, according to Saland Law, a New York Criminal, Family, and Title IX Lawyer. Aggravated Criminal Contempt trumps both crimes and is a “D” felony, punishable by as many as seven years in “upstate.”

When a judge issues an order you must follow it, and if you do not, you will have committed a crime. If you do anything to disrupt a court proceeding, you will have committed a crime. The most common reason that defendants face a charge of criminal contempt in the first degree, according to local law firms, is related to violating an Order of Protection.

You can see the outstanding warrants in Western New York when you click here.