Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Deverick M. Petty of Buffalo was arraigned yesterday before Tonawanda Town Court Justice Daniel Cavarello on the following offenses:

• One count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree (Class “C” felony)
• One count of Tampering with Physical Evidence (Class “E” felony)
• One count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree (Class “E” felony)
• One count of Assault in the Third Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
• One count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor)
• One count of Obstruction of Governmental Administration (Class “A” misdemeanor)

It is alleged that on Monday, June 13, 2022, at approximately 11:30 p.m., the defendant assaulted the female victim by punching her in the face multiple times inside of a residence in the Town of Tonawanda. When the victim called 911 for help, the defendant allegedly took the victim’s cell phone out of her hand and intentionally damaged the phone. The defendant allegedly left after the victim locked herself in a bathroom.

When Town of Tonawanda Police officers responded to the area, they allegedly found the defendant a short distance away. It is further alleged that while running in an attempt to evade arrest, the defendant threw what appeared to be a gun into a grassy area. When the defendant was apprehended, officers allegedly found a quantity of suspected crack cocaine inside of the defendant’s pocket. A loaded, illegal pistol was recovered from the area.

Petty is scheduled to return on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. for a felony hearing. Bail was set at $25,000 cash, $50,000 bond or $50,000 partially secured bond.

If convicted of all charges, Petty faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

DA Flynn commends the Town of Tonawanda Police Department for their work in the investigation.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.