Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 38-year-old Joseph Whitney, also known as Jamale Whitney, of Town of Amherst was sentenced this morning before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi to a determinate sentence of 5 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision. He was sentenced today as a second violent felony offender.

On January 4, 2022, at approximately 1:30 p.m., the defendant used a wrench to break the passenger side window of the victim’s vehicle, which was parked outside of the Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino. When the victim exited the casino, he approached the defendant who was standing by his vehicle. When confronted by the victim, the defendant pulled his hands out the vehicle and punched the victim in the face with a closed fist, which caused the victim to fall to the ground.

The defendant ran from the scene with the victim’s bag, which contained $1,400 in cash. After the attack, the victim, a male in his mid-50’s, went to an urgent care facility to receive treatment for an injury to his knee as well as pain and swelling to his face.

The defendant was linked to the crime through DNA evidence recovered from the front passenger side door of the victim’s vehicle.

Whitney pleaded guilty to one count of Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree (Class “D” felony) on August 4, 2022.

DA Flynn commends Detective Vatasha Tibbs and Detective Frank King Buffalo Police Department as well as Forensic Biologist Alison Kraus of Erie County Central Police Services for their work in this investigation

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan M. Flaherty of the Felony Trials Bureau.