Rochester Man Sentenced for Two Manslaughters
Tavontay Haygood received 30 years in prison for the deaths of Derrick Ellis and Karen Wargo.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Crime — General
Tavontay Haygood, 33, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of manslaughter. The conviction follows his involvement in the separate deaths of 48-year-old Derrick Ellis and 46-year-old Karen Wargo in Rochester.
Why it matters
The sentence provides a resolution to two distinct homicide investigations that took place in Rochester. Haygood is additionally required to serve five years of post-release supervision following his incarceration.
Haygood received a 30-year prison sentence followed by five years of post-release supervision. He is currently awaiting a separate sentencing in the Monroe County Mental Health Court for a prior 2024 conviction.
The players
Tavontay Haygood
The 33-year-old defendant who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in two separate homicide cases in Rochester.
Derrick Ellis
The 48-year-old victim who died two days after being shot on Diringer Place.
Karen Wargo
The 46-year-old victim who was beaten to death at the intersection of Pleasant Street and North Clinton Avenue.
Monroe County Mental Health Court
The judicial body currently presiding over Haygood's pending sentencing for a prior conviction.
The details
Haygood shot Derrick Ellis on the porch of a home on Diringer Place and later beat Karen Wargo to death near the intersection of Pleasant Street and North Clinton Avenue. He was previously convicted of attempted arson and endangering the welfare of a child in May 2024.
Timeline
September 19, 2023: Derrick Ellis was shot on Diringer Place.
May 2024: Haygood was convicted of attempted arson.
July 9, 2025: Karen Wargo was beaten to death.
July 16, 2025: Haygood was taken into custody.
October 5, 2026: Haygood was sentenced to prison.
Legal Context
This sentencing follows the established protocols of the Monroe County Mental Health Court, which oversees cases involving defendants with complex criminal and mental health histories. The outcome reflects a trend in the local judicial system of consolidating multiple serious charges into a single, comprehensive sentencing phase.
The conclusion of this case brings resolution to two specific high-profile incidents that occurred in local neighborhoods. Residents in the areas of Diringer Place and the intersection of Pleasant Street and North Clinton Avenue are no longer facing an active threat from the convicted individual.
The takeaway
The sentencing marks the end of a prolonged legal process involving multiple violent crimes committed by the same individual. Local citizens can find closure knowing the defendant has been removed from the community to serve his prison term.
Further reading
For additional updates on local legal proceedings, visit Rochester Crime — General.
