Erie County Sheriff’s Teamsters #264

DEPUTY SPIT ON BY INMATE

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports that a deputy was spit on by 27-year-old Shannon Young while Correctional Health staff was distributing medication.

On April 4, 2023, at approximately 8:45 a.m., Young was causing a disturbance while Correctional Health staff distributed prescribed medications in a housing unit. Young grabbed a medication cup and refused to surrender the drugs. Then, without provocation, Young spit on the deputy, striking the deputy on the neck, face, and eye.

Young was arrested and charged with one misdemeanor count of obstruction of government administration.

The deputy was treated for bodily fluid exposure at the Erie County Medical Center.

ECSO SERGEANT PERFORMS CPR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports that an Erie County Sheriff’s Office Jail Management Division Sergeant performed CPR on an individual on the side of the road.

On April 4, 2023, at approximately 6:37 p.m., Sergeant Amborski was returning to the holding center in a marked Erie County Sheriff’s Office vehicle. He was flagged down by an individual along Delaware Avenue in the Village of Kenmore. The individual stated that the vehicle’s passenger was slumped over in their seat, unresponsive, and not breathing.

Sergeant Amborski could not detect a pulse and recognized the patient was in cardiac arrest. The sergeant directed the driver to contact 911 and to assist in moving the patient to a sidewalk.

Amborski initiated CPR while communicating with the 911 dispatcher. Amborski performed several cycles of chest compressions until Kenmore fire and EMS personnel arrived. EMS personnel deployed an AED at that point, and respiratory care was established. The patient’s vital signs were regained, and transported to a local hospital, where they are recovering.

INMATE ATTACKS DEPUTY FOLLOWING MEDICAL EXAM

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports that incarcerated individual Tyree Littlejohn attacked a deputy at the Erie County Holding Center following a medical examination.

On March 25, 2023, a deputy escorted Littlejohn to his housing cell. When the deputy removed the handcuffs, Littlejohn suddenly turned and began punching the deputy in the head and face. Another deputy responded to control the individual until a response team arrived and handcuffed the individual.

One of the deputies sustained facial lacerations and a loose tooth, while a second deputy suffered a knee injury. The deputies were transported to Erie County Medical Center for medical treatment. Littlejohn was evaluated by Correctional Health staff and returned to his cell.

Littlejohn is expected to be charged with a felony count of assault 2nd and a misdemeanor count of assault.

The individual has been remanded to the holding center since January 14, 2023, following his arrest by Buffalo Police on felony charges. The Erie County Sheriff’s Office also arrested Littlejohn on January 14 for introducing contraband into a prison.

DEPUTY ASSAULTED BY INMATE WHILE DELIVERING A FOOD TRAY

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports that a deputy at the Erie County Holding Center was assaulted by an incarcerated individual while delivering meals to a unit.

On March 22, 2023, at approximately 4:00 p.m., a deputy delivered a food tray to Jonathan Williams. When the deputy turned to leave the housing area, Williams attacked the deputy from behind, punching him multiple times in the face, head, and neck.

The deputy was able to restrain Williams until other deputies arrived to place handcuffs on the individual.

Williams was arrested and charged with a felony count of 2nd-degree assault. The defendant is held without bail following his arrest by Buffalo Police on murder and weapons charges.

INMATE
CHARGED THE SECOND TIME FOR ASSAULTING A DEPUTY

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia reports that a deputy was assaulted by an incarcerated individual at the holding center on January 27, 2023, during a security operation.

At approximately 5:37 p.m., multiple deputies conducted a security operation in a housing area. When deputies arrived at Bilal Wright’s unit, he was directed to stand up and face the wall. As Wright refused to comply, Deputy Mallia and others entered the unit. At this time, Wright, without provocation, threw a punch at Deputy Mallia, striking him in the face and knocking him unconscious. As the deputy fell, he hit his head on the wall and his face against the metal bunk.

Multiple deputies responded and entered the cell to restrain the incarcerated individual. Wright continued to ignore commands and resisted the deputies as they tried to restrain him. The incarcerated individual was finally secured with metal restraints but remained combative and kicked the responding deputies. As deputies worked to control Wright, other deputies moved Mallia to a safe area. Correctional Health medical staff responded to treat the injured deputy.

Due to the extent of Mallia’s injuries, he was transported to Erie County Medical Center for further treatment for head and face injuries. Mallia regained consciousness and was alert during transportation.

Holding center medical staff treated the incarcerated individual, who was later transported to ECMC for additional evaluation and treatment.

Wright is charged with a felony count of assault-while confined in a correctional facility and a misdemeanor count of obstruction of governmental administration.

This incident is Wright’s second incident within the holding center that resulted in a felony assault charge.

Several other personnel sustained injuries during the incident:
Sgt. Wilk – right-hand injury
Dep. Bauer – right thumb injury
Dep. Irwin – right thumb injury
Dep. Schaefer – finger injury, right hand
Dep. Giardina – right shoulder injury

The defendant is held without bail following an arrest in August 2022 for assault and sexual abuse charges.