Ongoing Investigation at Monroe County Jail Leads to Multiple Deputy Arrests

An investigation into alleged misconduct at the Monroe County Jail has led to the arraignment of two deputies, highlighting ongoing concerns about the facility's internal operations and safety protocols.

Deputy Dominic S. Denaro was arraigned, Tuesday, in Monroe County Court on charges of Official Misconduct and Obstruction of Governmental Administration in the Second Degree—both Class A misdemeanors. Denaro is accused of alerting incarcerated individuals prior to cell searches, actions that allegedly compromised the safety and security of both inmates and staff. Hired in January 2024, Denaro, 20, resigned shortly after the investigation commenced and was released following his court appearance.

This follows the March 21 arraignment of Deputy Dominic W. Kujawa, who faces charges of Assault in the Second Degree, a Class D felony, and Official Misconduct. Kujawa is accused of enabling an incarcerated individual to assault another and failing to intervene.

Employed since May 2023, Kujawa has been suspended without pay, and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office is pursuing his termination in accordance with New York State Civil Service Law.

The investigation began in December 2024 when the Monroe County Sheriff's Office received reports of official misconduct and physical altercations between inmates within the jail. Immediate internal and criminal investigations were launched, involving interviews with inmates and deputies, as well as reviews of surveillance footage. The Monroe County District Attorney's Office presented the findings to a grand jury, resulting in the indictments of Kujawa and Denaro.

The Monroe County Jail has faced previous incidents raising concerns about staff conduct and inmate safety. In May 2024, Deputy Jacob Hoyt was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual abuse following allegations of non-consensual sexual contact at a private residence in Webster, New York. Hoyt, a seven-year employee of the Jail Bureau, was suspended without pay pending internal and judicial proceedings

Sheriff Todd K. Baxter has emphasized the department's commitment to addressing misconduct and ensuring safety within the jail. He highlighted that the willingness of an incarcerated individual to report grievances reflects the jail's culture of accountability.

Baxter says immediate actions were taken upon receiving reports, including opening criminal and internal investigations and involving the District Attorney's Office when appropriate.

"Any misconduct displayed by rogue employees will never be tolerated in the Sheriff's Office," Baxter said in a statement.

In response to these incidents, the Sheriff's Office has implemented measures such as increasing supervisory rounds, enhancing training and mentorship programs for deputies, and reviewing systemic issues to prevent future occurrences. The office continues to collaborate with the New York State Commission of Corrections, the State Attorney General's Office, and the Monroe County District Attorney's Office as investigations proceed.

As of now, three deputies remain suspended, and one has resigned amidst the ongoing investigations. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office has reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that more information will be released upon the completion of the investigations.