Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 29-year-old Ayesha Patterson and 41-year-old Latoya M. Austin, both from Buffalo, have pleaded guilty before State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns to one count of Arson in the Second Degree, a Class “B” felony.

Austin pleaded guilty to the charge yesterday afternoon. Patterson pleaded guilty on February 19, 2020.

On Wednesday, January 1, 2020, at approximately 5:30 a.m., the defendants admitted to throwing multiple bottles that contained gasoline with an ignited wick into the lower level of a multi-family home on Breckenridge Street in the City of Buffalo. The incident occurred after the defendants were involved in a domestic dispute with one of the residents of the home.

Their actions caused a fire in the house, which displaced six residents. Three children were taken to Oishei Children’s Hospital for evaluation as well as one police officer who went to ECMC to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Patterson and Austin face a maximum of 25 years in prison when they are sentenced. Austin is scheduled for sentencing on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. A sentencing date has not been scheduled for Patterson at this time. Both remain held without bail.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department and the Buffalo Fire Department for their work in the investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Nathanael C. Kapperman and James M. Marra of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau.