Albany County District Attorney Lee C. Kindlon announced today that the 45-year-old Albany man whose pit bull terriers attacked and killed a man in October 2024 has been sentenced to a state prison term.

The Honorable Roger McDonough sentenced Omar Daniels to serve two to four years in state prison – the maximum term the law allows – after he pleaded guilty to Criminally Negligent Homicide. This term will run consecutively to the nine years he is serving on a Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree charge he was sentenced to on Oct. 18, 2024.

Albany Police were called on Oct. 9. 2024, to a rear yard at 594 Central Ave. for a report of dogs attacking a man. Police responded and found 59-year-old James Provost severely injured from bite wounds and internal injuries. In an attempt to stop the attack, one of the responding officers discharged his weapon, killing one of the dogs.

Provost succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police interviewed Daniels after he arrived not long after the attack. He admitted to owning the dogs and keeping them at the property.

Provost’s daughter, Jamie Provost, addressed the court and Daniels before sentencing, saying that her father’s death was a tragedy that didn’t have to happen.

“You took our father’s life from him through your negligent acts and the neglect of multiple dogs for multiple years,” she said. “The consequences of your actions will ripple through every significant life event for generations.”

Judge McDonough said that while he did not believe Daniels intended for anyone to be attacked, his lack of care for the animals contributed to Provost’s death.

Assistant District Attorney Stephen Lydon of the Major Crimes Bureau prosecuted the case.