Defendants Admit Guilt in Officer’s Death at Batavia Downs Gaming

On Monday, two individuals admitted their involvement in the death of Genesee County Sheriff’s Sergeant Thomas Sanfratello at Batavia Downs Hotel & Casino, located roughly 35 miles west of Rochester, N.Y. this spring. 

The charges arose from a violent confrontation that unfolded on March 10, leading to legal consequences for both defendants.

Guilty Pleas

M.E. (33) pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter and obstructing governmental administration. 

As part of a plea deal, he will face a prison sentence of between 10 and 20 years that will be announced on December 17 at 9:30 a.m.

He will serve his sentence in the State Department of Corrections. After his release, he will also be subject to five additional years of supervision. 

The agreement capped his potential time behind bars, as a trial conviction could have seen him facing 25 years in prison. 

Genesee County District Attorney Kevin Finnell spoke to WHAM, calling the plea “appropriate” for the respective case “and based upon the facts in the indictment.”

The second individual who was also involved in the case also accepted a plea bargain. 

L.J.W. (39) pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and will receive her sentence on January 21. at 10 a.m.

Her plea was conditioned on a split sentence that included up to six months in jail and an additional five years of probation.

Bar Fight Turned Into Tragedy

The events that led to these charges began with a disturbance at the casino’s bar, where Sergeant Sanfratello intervened. 

Sanfratello, who was on assignment detail at the gambling venue that evening, along with casino security, escorted the two suspects off the premises following a heated argument. 

Despite successfully removing them from the property, tensions continued to escalate outside.

Shortly after leaving, M.E. came back, wielding a metal chain as a weapon. Reports from WHAM state that he proceeded to attack Sanfratello with the respective object, delivering multiple blows to the head and face. 

Witnesses described a struggle in which M.E. also placed Sanfratello in a chokehold and landed additional punches. 

Failed attempts to subdue M.E. with a taser could not stop him from ultimately overpowering the 54-year-old officer. 

The sergeant sustained life-threatening injuries during the altercation. Unfortunately, his fellow officers’ attempts to revive him were to no avail. 

The 32-year veteran of the force was pronounced dead at the scene, a tragic loss to his colleagues and the community he served.

“Our Thoughts and Prayers Go Out to the Family”

The incident shocked the local area, prompting a temporary evacuation of Batavia Downs while law enforcement conducted an investigation. 

Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubusch expressed deep sorrow over the loss. 

According to the New York Post, Heubusch stated “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family members of Sergeant Sanfratello and all the members of the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office at this extremely difficult time.”

Crimes Around Casinos, a Disturbing Occurrence

In September, we reported on a similarly shocking incident that took place in Reno, where authorities investigated a suspected murder-suicide that involved one of the famous casinos in the city.

In May, law enforcement in Prince George’s County, Maryland investigated a shooting incident that ended with the tragic death of one person at MGM National Harbor Hotel & Casino in Oxon Hill.

During the same month, an argument between two alienated friends started at Hard Rock Casino Tampa and eventually resulted in attempted murder, among other charges.  

In 2022, a double murder was reported at MGM Cotai in Macau.