Hamburg, NY - An Erie County Sheriff's Deputy has now been suspended-- without pay-- following his arrest on an assault charge. It stems from an alleged incident last month at a motel in Hamburg. 2 On Your Side has details of the investigation.
Just as Erie County sheriff's deputies transported inmates for appearances in Hamburg Town Court this morning, one of their colleagues, who is now suspended from duty, was also in town court for arraignment on charges tied to the alleged baseball bat beating of an individual at a Hamburg motel.
Hamburg Police would not comment only saying they were involved with the investigation.
But the Erie County District Attorney's office says 31 year old Deputy Paul Barner of Hamburg was charged with second degree assault and first degree burglary. His attorney says he pleaded not guilty with ten thousand dollars bail for his release.
Prosecutors say Barner broke into a unit at this motel on Southwestern Boulevard in the early morning hours of June 9th with his co-defendant identified as 30 year old Brian Kruzscha of Lakeview. Barner is accused of restraining a victim while Kruzscha allegedly struck the victim with the bat causing cuts and heavy bleeding.
The DA's office did not say if anything was taken from the victim.
Deputy Barner is listed as a police services deputy who handled various cases in the Springville area.
A sheriff's office spokesman says Barner has been suspended without pay and is now the subject of an internal investigation by the Sheriff's office as well.
Barner is due back in Hamburg Town Court in early August. Attorney Herb Greenman, who represents Barner, says his client feels he did nothing wrong or illegal and that he will be exonerated in court.