Deputy Punched in the Face during One Attack, Other Bitten on the Arm

Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports Deputies assigned to the Erie County Holding Center were attacked by inmates resulting in one Deputy suffering significant facial injuries and the other sustaining a large bite wound to her arm.

On June 13, at approximately 2:15 P.M., Inmate Troung Cao attacked Deputy Wilson in an inmate holding area within the holding center.  During this unprovoked attack, inmate Cao struck the Deputy with a closed fist in the face causing significant bleeding.  The Deputy was taken to Erie County Medical Center for treatment.

Cao, who is being held at the holding center on public lewdness charges from Buffalo Police, was charged with felony counts of assault with intent to cause injury to an officer and assault while confined in a correctional facility.  The inmate also faces administrative charges.

The Deputy will remain out of work for an undetermined amount of time, and inmate Cao is scheduled to be arraigned on June 15 in Buffalo City Court.

Then, on June 15 around 8:05 P.M., Deputy Friedman was bitten on the upper right arm by inmate Cashmeire Albert.  The bite punctured the skin which caused significant bleeding and swelling.

Albert, who is being held at the holding center on felony forgery charges, is charged with a felony count of assault while confined in a correctional facility and will be arraigned in Buffalo City Court on June 15.

The Deputy was transported to Erie County Medical Center for evaluation and treatment, and a return-to-work date is unknown at this time.