Scott Saracina

An Erie County man faces rape, kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment charges in a series of incidents involving a person from Chautauqua County.

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announced the charges today. Scott A. Saracina, 62, of Hamburg was arraigned Tuesday before State Supreme Court Justice Mark Montour on an indictment charging him with the following offenses first-degree rape, a class B violent felony; second-degree of kidnapping, a class B violent felony; and first-degree unlawful imprisonment, a class E felony.

At 5 p.m. Aug. 23, a woman was allegedly in Saracina’s vehicle when he forcibly grabbed her purse, which caused the strap to break. Saracina allegedly took the victim’s cell phone out of her purse and became verbally abusive. When the woman attempted to take her cell phone back, Saracina allegedly bit her finger before reportedly pulling her head backward by her hair during the incident while making threatening statements to her. According to a news release from Flynn’s office, Saracina allegeldy drove the woman to her home in Chautauqua County before forcing her back into his vehicle. Saracina then allegedly abducted the woman, who was known to him, by driving her to his apartment on South Park Avenue in Hamburg. Saracina is accused of forcing the victim into his residence while in possession of her purse and cell phone, which prevented her from calling for help, before allegedly forcibly raping the woman inside of his bedroom while preventing her from leaving the apartment. Saracina allegedly threatened the victim throughout the incident.

The woman was later allowed to leave the apartment with her belongings. The alleged crime was reported to police and the woman underwent a rape kit.

Saracina is scheduled to return on Monday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. before state Supreme Court Justice Deborah A. Haendiges. He continues to be held without bail.

If convicted of the highest charge, Saracina faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.

Saracina also has pending charges in Hamburg Town Court for allegedly stalking and harassing a second woman and violating an order of protection issued by the court.

It is alleged that on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 9:25 p.m., Saracina, with the intent to harass the woman, sent numerous unwanted text messages and multiple phone calls to his ex-girlfriend. Saracina also allegedly went to the victim’s home unannounced.

Saracina was arraigned the following day on one count of second-degree aggravated harassment, a class A misdemeanor, and one count of fourth-degree stalking, a class B misdemeanor. He was released on his own recognizance. A temporary order of protection was issued on behalf of the woman.

It is also alleged that on Friday, March 4, at 3:37 a.m., Saracina knowingly violated an existing order of protection by calling the woman. He was arraigned the following day before Judge Gorman on one count of second-degree criminal contempt, a class A misdemeanor. He was released on his own recognizance.

It is further alleged that on Sunday, March 27, at 3:51 p.m. Saracina again knowingly violated an existing order of protecting by attempting to video chat with the same victim through a social media application. Saracina was arraigned by Judge Gorman on one count of second-degree criminal contempt, a class A misdemeanor, and released on his own recognizance.

A trial has been scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 6, on the misdemeanor cases.