Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Matthew J. Morano, 29, of Depew, was arraigned yesterday afternoon before Alden Town Court Justice Michael Cole on one count of Official Misconduct, one count of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors) and one count of Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree (Class “B” misdemeanor).
The defendant is accused of knowingly and unlawfully introducing contraband while working as a corrections officer for the Erie County Sheriff’s Office. The defendant allegedly conspired with another individual to provide contraband to an inmate at the Erie County Correctional Facility in the Town of Alden. Morano was issued an appearance ticket. He has resigned from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office.
Morano is scheduled to return for further proceedings on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. He was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail.
If convicted of the highest charge, Morano faces a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail.
A co-defendant, Ashley Bonilla, 34, of Cheektowaga, was also arraigned yesterday afternoon before Judge Cole on one count of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree (Class “A” misdemeanor) and one count of Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree (Class “B” misdemeanor). She is accused of conspiring with another individual to provide contraband to an inmate at the Erie County Correctional Facility. Bonilla is also scheduled to return on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. for further proceedings. She was released on her own recognizance.
On May 6, 2025, Luis A. Bonilla, 31, of Cheektowaga, was arraigned before Alden Town Court Justice Louis C. Mussari. Bonilla, an inmate at the Erie County Correction Facility, is charged with one count of Promoting Prison Contraband in the Second Degree and one count of Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree. Bonilla is scheduled to return for further proceedings on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Bail was set at $1 as the defendant is remanded on other pending charges.
DA Keane commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in this investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan A. Emmerling of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Ryan E. Thie of the Justice Courts Bureau.
As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
