Hamburg Man Receives Maximum Sentence for Rape

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Scott A. Saracina, 66, of Hamburg, was sentenced yesterday afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges. He received the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison as a persistent felony offender. If he is released from incarceration, Saracina will be required to register as a sex offender.

On Wednesday, August 24, 2022, at approximately 1:00 a.m., the defendant forcibly engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim while inside of his apartment in the Town of Hamburg. The defendant was known to the victim. When the victim was able to later leave the defendant's apartment, she reported the crime to police and underwent a rape kit.

In late June 2025, a jury found Saracina guilty of one count of Rape in the First Degree (Class B violent felony). Jurors rendered their decision after several hours of deliberation following a 5 ½-day trial, convicting the defendant of the first count of the indictment. The defendant was previously acquitted of the two additional counts of the indictment following a jury trial in September 2024. Justice Haendiges declared a mistrial after jurors were unable to come to a unanimous decision on the rape charge.

As part of the sentencing proceeding, a final order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim, which remains in effect until 2072.

DA Keane commends Detective Jon Wright of the Town of Hamburg Police Department for his work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Meredith M. Mohun of the Major Crimes Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Stephen C. Papia of the Special Victims Unit.