Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green

10/15/2026

Thank you to Assemblymember Jen Lunsford and Mayor Malik Evans for bringing together community leaders and stakeholders for the third annual Domestic Violence Roundtable.

This year’s discussion focused on an important question: Where are the gaps? While we have seen encouraging declines in arrests across many areas of crime, domestic violence arrests have increased significantly in Monroe County. Today’s conversation provided an opportunity to discuss gaps in resources, funding and policy, and, most importantly, how we can work together to better support survivors and prevent domestic violence.

I was grateful to participate alongside Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gallagher, Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau, and so many of our community partners who encounter these issues from different perspectives. Addressing domestic violence requires collaboration among prosecutors, law enforcement, advocates, service providers, policymakers and the community.

10/10/2026

Richard Leo Pleads Guilty to Murder in the 2nd Degree for the Murder of Daniel Fiero

Rochester, NY- On Friday, October 9, 2026, 37-year-old Richard Leo pled guilty to the indictment, which include one count of Murder in the 2nd Degree, for killing Daniel Fiero.

At 2:52PM, on January 31, 2026, Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to an extended stay hotel in the Town of Henrietta for reports of a dispute coming from inside one of the rooms. Upon arrival, officers discovered 37-year-old Richard Leo with blood on him. He was detained by deputies. As Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies made their way further into the room, they located 40-year-old Daniel Fiero, deceased from stab wounds.

Following a thorough investigation, Monroe County Sheriff Deputies determined that in December 2025, Daniel Fiero was a truck driver who saw Richard Leo walking on the side of the road in the cold. After offering the defendant a ride, Daniel Fiero learned that Richard Leo was a homeless veteran. Daniel Fiero made sure that Richard Leo was fed and with shelter for the following month.

On January 31, 2026, Richard Leo violently attacked Daniel Fiero out of anger. The victim died from extreme injuries to his head and face and multiple stab wounds.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gallagher, Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Kaitlin Hastings, of the Vehicular Crimes Bureau.

“Daniel Fiero was the kind of person we should all strive to be,” said Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gallagher. “When he encountered a stranger in need, he did not hesitate to offer a helping hand. What began as a simple act of kindness became an extraordinary display of compassion and generosity. Tragically, Richard Leo repaid that kindness with an unimaginable act of violence, brutally taking the life of the very person who had gone out of his way to help him. Daniel deserved so much better. My hope is that today’s guilty plea brings some measure of peace to Daniel’s family and friends, who will forever remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the remarkable person he was.”

“Daniel Fiero lost his life because he chose to help someone in need, and that is a tragedy that is difficult to comprehend,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “His compassion and generosity were met with senseless violence at the hands of Richard Leo. No act of kindness should ever end in such a loss, and no family should have to endure the heartbreak of losing a loved one under these circumstances. I want to thank the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gallagher for their dedication to securing justice for Daniel Fiero and his loved ones.”

Richard Leo will be sentenced on November 16, 2026 in front of New York State Supreme Court Justice Stephen Miller.

10/09/2026

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office stands with survivors and remains committed to working with our community partners to support victims, hold offenders accountable, and help make our community safer.

We are especially grateful for our strong relationship with Willow Domestic Violence Center and look forward to the upcoming grand opening of the Family Justice Center, which will bring critical resources together to better serve survivors and their families.

This month and throughout the year, we thank the advocates, prosecutors, law enforcement professionals, and community organizations dedicated to supporting those impacted by domestic violence.

10/08/2026

Thank you to the St. John Fisher University Pre-Law Association for inviting me to speak with students about careers in law and public service.

I enjoyed the opportunity to share my own experiences, discuss the work of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, and answer thoughtful questions about criminal law, prosecution, and the many different paths available within the legal profession.

It is always encouraging to meet students who are already thinking seriously about how they can use a legal career to serve their communities. Thank you to Pre-Law Association President Jessica Sweet and all of the students who joined the conversation for the warm welcome and engaging discussion!

10/07/2026

Last week was the Annual Monroe County Magistrates Association Dinner. Thank you to the Magistrates Association for bringing members of our local legal community together and for all you do throughout the year.

Several Assistant District Attorneys from our office attended, including a strong representation from our Local Courts Bureau.

To our Local Court ADAs, thank you for representing the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office each day in courts across our community. I appreciate your hard work, professionalism, and continued commitment to public service.

10/06/2026

Members of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office participated this year’s NAMIWalks Rochester!

Mental health touches every family and every part of our community. Events like NAMIWalks are an important reminder of the value of breaking down stigma, supporting one another and making sure people know they are not alone.

I am especially grateful to our MCDA team captain, Assistant District Attorney James Nguyen, for organizing our team and encouraging our office to get involved. Thank you to James and every member of the MCDA team who walked and showed their support!

I am proud to work alongside colleagues who continue to show up for our community, both inside and outside the courtroom.

10/05/2026

Tovontay Haygood Sentenced to 30 Years for his Involvement in the Homicides of Derrick Ellis and Karen Wargo

Rochester, NY- On Monday, October 5, 2026, New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Moran sentenced 33-year-old Tovontay Haygood to 30 years in the New York State Department of Corrections, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Haygood previously pleaded guilty to two counts of Manslaughter in the 1st Degree for his role in the separate homicides of Derrick Ellis and Karen Wargo.

On September 19, 2023, Rochester Police Officers responded to the corner of Diringer Place and North Goodman Street, where they located 48-year-old Derrick Ellis suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. Mr. Ellis was immediately transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he died from his injuries. Rochester Police Detectives determined that Mr. Ellis was standing on the porch of a residence on Diringer Place when he was shot.

On July 9, 2025, Rochester Police Officers responded to Pleasant Street near North Clinton Avenue, where they located a deceased woman on the sidewalk who was later identified as 46-year-old Karen Wargo. The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Ms. Wargo died from a combination of blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxiation. Following a thorough investigation that included surveillance video evidence, Tovontay Haygood was arrested for the homicide.

While Haygood remained in custody awaiting trial for the homicide of Karen Wargo, the Rochester Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit worked alongside the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office to continue investigating the homicide of Derrick Ellis. Following a detailed investigation, Haygood was also indicted for Mr. Ellis’ homicide.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wagner, Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Unit.

“This defendant was responsible for two separate acts of violence that took the lives of Derrick Ellis and Karen Wargo,” said Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wagner. “These were complex investigations that required our office to work closely with the Rochester Police Department to ensure that both homicides were fully investigated and that the defendant was held accountable. I want to thank the Rochester Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit for their persistence and dedication throughout these investigations. I want to especially thank the community that came forward with evidence. Without this cooperation, Tovontay Haygood may have never been identified for these disturbing homicides. Most importantly, I hope today’s sentence provides some measure of closure to the families and loved ones of Mr. Ellis and Ms. Wargo.”

“Tovontay Haygood took the lives of two members of our community in two separate homicides, leaving two families to endure tremendous loss,” said Monroe County District Attorney Brian Green. “Today’s sentence ensures that he will spend decades in prison for his actions. I commend Assistant District Attorney Jessica Wagner and the Rochester Police Department for their diligent work connecting this defendant to both homicides and ensuring that he was held accountable for the lives he took. My thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of Derrick Ellis and Karen Wargo as they continue to grieve.”

10/01/2026

I am incredibly proud to congratulate two members of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office who have been named 2026 Attorneys of the Year by The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal!

First Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles has been recognized in the Leaders in Law category, while Assistant District Attorney Caroline Rodriguez, of our Public Integrity/Economic Crimes Bureau, has been recognized as an Up & Coming Lawyer.

Perry and Caroline represent two different stages of exceptional careers in public service, and both bring tremendous skill, integrity and dedication to the work of this office. Their commitment to the law, our community and the pursuit of justice represents the very best of the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.

It is a privilege to work alongside both of them, and I am thrilled to see their contributions to the legal profession recognized.

Please join me in congratulating Perry and Caroline on this well-deserved honor!

With the Attorney of the Year Awards, The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal pay tribute to lawyers in a number of categories who are working to make our community stronger and to advance their profession.

09/29/2026

Please join me in welcoming our next Assistant District Attorney, Greg Schmidt to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office!

Greg joins our team as he begins a new chapter in his legal career and enters the field of criminal law. We are excited to welcome him to the office as he builds his experience as a prosecutor.

Welcome to the MCDA team, Greg!

09/28/2026

Please join us in welcoming Lilly Gillett to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office!

Lilly joins our team as a Criminal Law Assistant in the Special Victims Unit, where she will support the important work of our prosecutors and staff serving some of the most vulnerable victims in our community.

We are excited to have Lilly as part of the MCDA team and wish her all the best as she begins this new role.