Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 35-year-old Antonio D. Brown of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Patrick M. Carney on one count of Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (unclassified misdemeanor under New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law) and one count of Equipment Violation (New York State Vehicle & Traffic Law violation).

It is alleged that on November 23, 2020, at approximately 2:20 p.m., the defendant was driving without a license in a vehicle with tinted windows on Main Street in the City of Buffalo. The defendant was issued an appearance ticket after being stopped by an Erie County Sheriff’s deputy.

The defendant’s driver’s license was revoked on August 11, 2020 at his arraignment in a separate, pending criminal matter. Brown was indicted on one count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Class “B” felony), one count of Vehicular Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class “C” felony), and two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree (Class “C” felonies).

It is alleged that on Sunday, October 27, 2019, at approximately 2:37 a.m., the defendant was driving a Maserati, while under the influence of alcohol, at a high-rate of speed northbound on Seneca Street in the City of Buffalo when his vehicle collided with a Toyota Yaris near Pomona Place.

The driver of the Toyota, 33-year-old Anthony Twentyfive, III, and his passenger, 32-year-old Kristin N. LaBruno, were both transported to the hospital where they died from their injuries. The cause of death for both victims was determined to be blunt force trauma.

On March 12, 2021, Assistant District Attorneys Christopher M. McCarthy and Ashley M. Morgan appeared before State Supreme Court Justice Caroline Wojtaszek requesting that the defendant’s bail be revoked in the pending felony case, arguing that the defendant violated a court order by driving a vehicle without a license after it had been revoked by the Court.

Judge Wojtaszek continued the defendant’s bail, but set further restrictions, which include:

-          The defendant cannot travel outside of Western New York without permission from the Court.

-          The defendant is not permitted to operate a motor vehicle under any circumstance.

-          The defendant remains under the supervision of probation.

Brown remains released on $50,000 bail, which he posted after his arraignment in the indicted felony case. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time.

Brown is scheduled to return to Buffalo City Court on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. He was released on his own recognizance in this matter as the charges are non-qualifying for bail. If convicted of the charges, he faces up to one year in jail.

DA Flynn commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.