Due to a conflict of interest, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office requested that the Court appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the actions of Buffalo Police Officers Ronald Ammerman and Michael Scheu during the arrest of Quentin C. Suttles on May 10, 2020. The Erie County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting Suttles who is the defendant in multiple pending criminal matters. In addition, an Assistant District Attorney with the Erie County DA’s Office is a potential witness.
The order was signed this morning by State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns to have the case involving any alleged misconduct by the Buffalo Police officers transferred to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office for review.
In addition to the May 10 arrest, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting two other criminal cases against 30-year-old Quentin Suttles of Buffalo.
It is alleged that around midnight on September 8, 2019, Buffalo Police officers were at the intersection of Mohr Avenue and Broadway when they observed a female driver speeding eastbound on Broadway. When the officers initiated a traffic stop, they allegedly smelled the odor of marijuana and observed marijuana inside the vehicle, which prompted a search of the vehicle. Suttles, who was seated in the rear, allegedly refused to exit the vehicle. When he was forcibly removed from the backseat, the defendant allegedly fought with the officers and would not release his hands. During the struggle, one officer allegedly felt a gun on the defendant. An illegal, loaded 9mm was then allegedly recovered.
The defendant was arraigned on February 24, 2020 on an indictment charging him with on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class “C” violent felony. The case is pending before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.
It is also alleged that on February 4, 2020, Buffalo Police officers arrested Suttles for knowingly violating an order of protection. The female victim notified police that the defendant allegedly called her multiple times. It is further alleged that the defendant drove by her home several times, putting the victim in fear for her safety.
The defendant was charged with one count of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree, a Class “E” felony, and one count of Harassment in the Second Degree, a violation. The case is pending before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah Haendiges and scheduled to return on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for a conference via telephone.
The case against Suttles from the May 10 incident will continue to be prosecuted by the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. Suttles was arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Amy C. Martoche on May 11, 2020 on one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence, a Class “E” felony, one count of Resisting Arrest, a Class “A” misdemeanor, and one count of Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, a Class “A” misdemeanor. He was also charged with two Vehicle and Traffic Law violations for driving without a license and driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
It is alleged that on May 10, 2020, at approximately 6:20 p.m., the defendant was driving a vehicle, with a suspended license, the wrong way on Madison Street when Buffalo Police officers initiated a traffic stop. The officers allegedly smelled marijuana in the vehicle, which prompted officers to remove the defendant from the vehicle. An ensuing struggle allegedly occurred.
A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.
