Five Defendants Indicted for Kidnapping and Torturing Victim in Attempt to Obtain Ransom

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that five defendants were arraigned yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek on an indictment. Daquel L. Braxton, 25, Savannah R. Brosius, 20, Dontavia N. McMorris, 21, Jeremiah I. Martin, 26, and Raymone A. Wilson, 20, all of Buffalo, have each been charged with the following offenses:

• One count of Kidnapping in the First Degree (Class "A-I" felony)
• One count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class "B" violent felony)
• One count of Assault in the First Degree (Class "B" violent felony)
• One count of Robbery in the First Degree (Class "B" violent felony)
• One count of Robbery in the Second Degree (Class "C" violent felony)
• One count of Assault in the Second Degree (Class "D" violent felony)

It is alleged that on or about Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the defendants, while acting in concert with one another, abducted the victim with the intent to compel a third person to pay money as a ransom. The defendants, who were known to the victim, allegedly forced him into an apartment on the 500 block of Virginia Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The defendants are accused of intentionally aiding one another to hold the victim against his will where they assaulted, tortured, and physically restrained him for several hours. The defendants are also accused of forcibly robbing the victim of his personal property, including his cell phone, backpack, wallet and debit card.

The Buffalo Police Department began an investigation after being contacted by the victim's relative on the evening of Wednesday, October 2, 2024. When the victim was located the same evening by police, he was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he received treatment for serious physical injuries, including burns, bruises and lacerations to his head and body.

Our prosecutor requested that all five defendants remain held without bail. Braxton was held on $80,000 cash or bond. He is scheduled to return on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. Martin and Wilson were also held on bail set at $80,000 cash or bond. Both defendants are scheduled to return on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. for a pre-trial conference. Brosius and McMorris were held on bail set at $50,000 cash or bond. They are also scheduled to return on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. for a pre-trial conference. Temporary orders of protection were issued on behalf of the victim and his family member.

If convicted of the highest count, the maximum sentence is 25 years to life in prison.

Acting DA Keane commends Lt. Jonathan Pietrzak, Detective Victoria Siracuse, and Detective Marlin Hall of the Buffalo Police Department for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Brendan W. Fitzgerald and Chief Alicia M. Lilley of the Felony Trials Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.