Tonawanda Man Pleads Guilty for Killing Victim in His Cheektowaga Home

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Joseph F. Saraceno, Jr., 29, of City of Tonawanda, pleaded guilty this afternoon before State Supreme Court Justice Debra L. Givens to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class B violent felony). Saraceno entered a guilty plea to the charge in full satisfaction of the indictment.

On Monday, September 30, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Cheektowaga Police officers responded to a residence on the 400 block of Cayuga Avenue for a possible homicide. The victim, 59-year-old Scott P. Bellanca, was found deceased near the front entrance of his home. The investigation determined that the defendant used a knife to stab the victim and shot him with a shotgun, which resulted in his death.

Saraceno faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. He remains held without bail.

DA Keane commends the Cheektowaga Police Department, Erie County Sheriff's Office and New York State Police for their work in this investigation.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Frank A. Strano of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Taylor L. Yensan of the Raise the Age/Motor Vehicle Theft Insurance Fraud Unit.