Haffa Pleads Not Guilty to Charges Related to Attempted Murder of Deputy

Justin Haffa

MAYVILLE – The Cheektowaga man who allegedly attempted to kill a Chautauqua County Sheriff Deputy earlier this month has pleaded not guilty to related charges in Chautauqua County Court.

On Monday, 21-year-old Justin Haffa was arraigned on charges of first-degree attempted murder (A1 felony), first-degree robbery (B violent felony) and attempted aggravated assault on a police officer (C violent felony).

Haffa was arrested last September 11. He was pulled over by a sheriff deputy on Route 60 in the town of Pomfret at about 3:30 a.m.  During the stop he’s accused of attacking the deputy and pinning her to the ground, threatening her with a knife. At that time the deputy reportedly pulled out her service weapon and fire. Haffa then wrestled the gun away from the deputy and then ran away. He was eventually located four hours later with the deputy’s gun in the Town of Stockton.

Haffa was allegedly under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The deputy was treated for minor injuries.

Following Monday’s hearing, Haffa was sent back to the county jail without bail.  The next court date will be Oct. 3, when attorneys and the judge will establish dates and times for future proceedings in the case.