Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 28-year-old Ayesha Patterson and 41-year-old Latoya Austin, both from Buffalo, have been arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin Keane on one count of Arson in the First Degree, a Class “A-1” felony, one count of Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, a Class “B” felony, and one count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class “D” felony. Both defendants were arraigned on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

It is alleged that on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, at approximately 5:30 a.m., the defendants threw 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 allegedly occurred after the defendants were involved in a domestic dispute with one of the residents of the home.

Their alleged 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 are scheduled to return on Monday, January 6, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. Both remain held without bail.

If convicted on all charges, both face a maximum of 25 years to life in prison.

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

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nathanael C. Kapperman of the DA’s Felony Trials Bureau.

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