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Terminated state trooper indicted on sexual assault, criminal impersonation charges

Erie County District Attorney's Office

A New York State trooper who was terminated in 2010 has been charged with misrepresenting himself as law enforcement in order to gain personal information from four victims and forcible sex from two of them.

The Erie County District Attorney's Office said Jason Lanning, 46, of Depew was arraigned Tuesday afternoon in State Supreme Court on an indictment charging him with:

  • Two counts of predatory sexual assault, Class A-ii felonies
     
  • Two counts of rape in the first degree, class B violent felonies
     
  • One count of criminal sexual act in the first degree, a Class B violent felony
     
  • One count of rape in the third degree, a Class E felony
     
  • Two counts of criminal impersonation in the second degree, Class A misdemeanors

It is alleged that on Sept. 10, 2019, Lanning falsely represented himself as a state trooper to gain the trust of a victim. He was arrested and his case was pending in Elma Town Court, when three additional victims came forward with allegations. Two alleged Lanning forced them to have sex.
Lanning is scheduled to return to court Sept. 24 and has been remanded without bail. He faces up to life in prison if convicted on all counts.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Erie County District Attorney’s Office at 858-2424 or New York State Police at 585-344-6000.