Ronald Epps, Murder, New York 2009

BUFFALO, N.Y. – In a shocking case of murder for insurance policy, a Buffalo man was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for the brutal murder of his girlfriend in 2009.

Ronald Epps, a Buffalo resident, was found guilty of murdering Angela Moss to obtain the proceeds of a $100,000 insurance policy. The case was initially left unsolved by local authorities, but thanks to the tireless efforts of Assistant United States Attorneys Melissa Marangola and Joel Violanti, justice was finally served.

Marangola and Violanti used the federal wire fraud statute to obtain jurisdiction and prosecute the case, which was a major breakthrough in the investigation. Their work resulted in Epps being convicted and sentenced to 60 years in federal prison.

‘More than three years passed and still no one had been held accountable for the murder of Angela Moss in 2009,’ stated U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. ‘Assistant U.S. Attorneys Melissa Marangola and Joel Violanti worked relentlessly in reviewing the evidence and federal law to charge and successfully prosecute Ronald Epps, who, with a sentence of 60 years, will likely spend the rest of his natural life behind bars.’

In recognition of their outstanding work, Marangola and Violanti were awarded the Director’s Awards by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. The ceremony, which was attended by over 35 districts, was held in the Great Hall at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building in Washington D.C.

‘Today’s honorees earned the esteem of their colleagues. But most importantly, they earned the gratitude of our fellow citizens — the people whose communities you made safer, whose lives you improved, and whose trust you rewarded,’ said Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in his address to the award recipients and guests.

This case serves as a reminder of the dedication and hard work of law enforcement officials in bringing justice to victims and their families. The work of Marangola and Violanti is a testament to their commitment to serving and protecting the residents of the Western District of New York.”

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