Defendant sentenced in Amherst home invasion case

Submitted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced 37-year-old Jason K. Evans of Depew was sentenced yesterday afternoon before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to 20 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision.

On Oct. 28, 2022, at approximately 11:45 a.m., the defendant, while acting in concert with co-defendant Mark S. Shadle, forcibly entered a home on Bucyrus Drive in the Town of Amherst with the intent to commit a burglary. Once inside of the residence, the defendants threatened the homeowner. The defendants caused injuries to the victim by beating him during the commission of the robbery. The defendants also bound the victim, which caused severe lacerations to his arms. The defendants fled after stealing various items from the home.

A family member returned home and called 911. The victim was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he was treated for serious physical injuries to his head, chest, arms and legs.

On Dec. 8, 2023, a jury found Evans and Shadle guilty of one count of burglary in the first degree and one count of robbery in the first degree (class “B” violent felonies). Jurors rendered their decision after less than two hours of deliberation following a seven-day trial, convicting the defendants of all counts in the indictment against them.

Last month, 34-year-old Mark S. Shadle of Kenmore was sentenced before Judge Eagan to 23 years to life in prison as a persistent violent felony offender.

Flynn commends the Amherst Police Department for its work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christopher S. Safulko of the homicide bureau, and Assistant District Attorney Nicholas C. Bussi of the felony trials bureau.