Buffalo Man Punches FBI Agent, Faces 20 Years

BUFFALO, N.Y. – A routine day at the FBI-Buffalo Division turned violent on July 12, 2022, when Tyler Collins, 27, of Buffalo, launched an unprovoked attack on a federal agent. Collins pleaded guilty today before Senior U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny to one count of assaulting a federal officer and causing bodily injury – a charge that carries a hefty potential sentence.

According to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Franz M. Wright and Douglas A. C. Penrose, Collins attempted to force his way into the FBI building around 4:00 p.m. Denied entry by security, he began a tirade, screaming expletives and physically pounding on the front door. Three federal agents, returning to the office at that moment, encountered Collins’ outburst.

The situation escalated quickly. As one agent attempted to de-escalate the situation and calm Collins, the Buffalo man responded with a punch, directly assaulting the officer. Another agent deployed pepper spray in an attempt to subdue Collins, but he managed to flee the scene, running onto Elmwood Avenue. He wasn’t gone for long.

Buffalo Police, working alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Darren Cox and Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia, quickly apprehended Collins later that evening on Delaware Avenue. The joint investigation solidified the case against him, leading to today’s guilty plea.

Collins now faces a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars and a staggering $250,000 fine. The U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross’ office isn’t playing around with attacks on federal law enforcement. This case sends a clear message: assaulting an officer will be met with the full force of the law.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. before Judge Skretny. Grimy Times will be in the courtroom to deliver the final outcome of this brazen attack. Contact Barbara Burns at (716) 843-5817 for further inquiries.