Amherst Police officer pleads guilty to impeding an FBI investigation

BUFFALO, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Gregory Trotter, 51, of Williamsville, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo to impeding with a federal officer, which carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $100,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas A.C. Penrose, who is handling the case, stated that in September 2022, an FBI Special Agent arranged to meet with Trotter, who was an Amherst Police detective at the time, regarding Trotter's involvement in a 2019 investigation of the alleged theft of a Rolex watch belonging to Peter Gerace. Trotter was questioned about his contact with Gerace during the investigation, with the agent asking Trotter multiple times whether Gerace had reached out to him while the investigation was active, to ask him questions about the status of the investigation. Trotter said no. During this exchange, Trotter reacted with disproportionate emotion and became physically animated, losing his professional bearing. Due to Trotter's status as a trained law enforcement officer who was possibly armed, this conduct intentionally impeded the agent in the performance of his duties.

"This defendant, a police officer, who was sworn to protect and serve, intentionally impeded the duties of another sworn law enforcement officer, and as a result he now stands convicted of committing a federal crime," stated U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 22, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Vilardo.

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