Five individuals from Buffalo have been charged in connection with a disturbing kidnapping and gang assault that occurred on October 2nd. The Buffalo Police Department arrested four of the suspects and their arraignment was announced by the Erie County District Attorney's Office on Thursday.
The defendants, identified as Daquel L. Braxton, 25, Savannah R. Brosius, 20, Dontavia N. McMorris, 21, Jeremiah I. Martin, 26, and Raymone A. Wilson, 20, are facing multiple charges including one felony count of kidnapping, one violent felony count of kidnapping, one violent felony count of assault in the first degree, one violent count of assault in the second degree, and two counts of robbery in the first and second degrees.
All five defendants are currently being held without bail, with Braxton's bail set at $80,000 cash or bond. Martin and Wilson also have bail set at $80,000 while Brosius and McMorris are held on $50,000 bail. All are scheduled to return to court on November 12th.
Temporary orders of protection have been issued on behalf of the victim and a family member. If convicted of the highest charge, the defendants could face a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
According to police reports, the incident began when the defendants allegedly kidnapped a victim they knew intending to extort money from a third party as ransom. The victim was forcibly taken to an apartment on the 500 block of Virginia Street where he was subjected to several hours of torture.
The defendants are accused of beating the victim, tying him to a chair, and inflicting severe physical injuries including chemical burns, bruises, and lacerations. The Buffalo Police Department began an investigation after a relative of the victim received a ransom demand. When police located the victim later that evening he was transported to ECMC for treatment.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia described the scene, stating, "Officers went in there, encountered the victim and several other individuals, but were not completely clear as to what was going on at the time."
The victim had his head shaved and bleached. He was also subjected to boiling water being poured on him.
Five Charged in Gruesome Kidnapping and Torture Case