BATAVIA, N.Y. — A Genesee County man who admitted to his role in the death of a Genesee County Sheriff's Office Sergeant was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Tuesday.
Michael Elmore pleaded guilty to Aggravated Manslaughter in the 1st Degree in November.
Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello, a 32-year veteran of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office, died while he was working a special assignment detail at Batavia Downs.
The sheriff's office said in March, Sergeant Sanfratello and casino security were informed about an altercation inside the facility at the bar area. After a verbal altercation, Sergeant Sanfratello, alongside Batavia Downs security staff, began escorting out two patrons — who were identified as Elmore and Lyndsey Wilcox — at the request of the Batavia Downs security staff.
Wilcox became physically combative with Sergeant Sanfratello.
Sanfratello, along with assistance from the Batavia Downs security staff, eventually gained control of Wilcox and placed her under arrest.
After that, the sheriff's office said Elmore began to interfere with the arrest and became physically combative, attacking Sergeant Sanfratello.
Batavia Downs security officers and civilians attempted to assist Sergeant Sanfratello with taking Elmore into custody, and a physical fight ensued. During the fight, Sergeant Sanfratello attempted to use a taser on Elmore. Elmore continued to be combative, according to police.
Sergeant Sanfratello became unresponsive during the fight, and CPR was started immediately. Despite these life-saving efforts, Sergeant Sanfratello was pronounced deceased by the Genesee County coroner.
The Sanfratello family issued a statement following the guilty pleas. They said, "We would like to thank everyone for their continued support, and we will have more of a completed statement once sentencing is over."
Lyndsey Wilcox pleaded guilty to Assault in the 2nd Degree, (causes physical injury to a police officer with Intent to prevent that officer from performing a lawful duty). According to the Genesee County District Attorney's Office, Wilcox's plea was conditioned on a split sentence of no more than 6 months in jail, plus five years of probation. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 21.