Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that an 18-year-old male from Buffalo was sentenced this morning before Youth Part Judge Brenda Freedman. The adolescent offender received a split sentence of six months of incarceration followed by five years of probation.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at approximately 11:00 a.m., the adolescent offender was found in possession unloaded handgun inside of a school on the 600 block of East Delavan Avenue in the City of Buffalo. The weapon was found inside of his bag during a search by a school security guard.
The adolescent offender, who was then 17-years-old, committed the offense after his arrest for another crime involving a handgun. On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at approximately 9:31 a.m., Buffalo Police executed a search warrant at a residence on South Domedion Street. Investigators saw the adolescent offender throw what appeared to be a firearm out of a lower rear window. Police recovered a loaded, illegal pistol equipped with a large capacity feeding device. At the arraignment, our prosecutor requested that the adolescent offender be remanded. He was released on his own recognizance.
In June 2026, the adolescent offender pleaded guilty to three felony charges for these two separate crimes: one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class D felony), one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon on School Grounds (Class E felonies).
Today, our prosecutor argued against the adjudication of youthful offender status for both cases. Judge Freedman granted youthful offender status. Therefore, our office will not be releasing his name.
DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department for their work in these investigations.
The cases were prosecuted by Chief Nicholas Marino and Assistant District Attorney Taylor L. Yensan of the Raise the Age/Motor Vehicle Theft Insurance Fraud Unit.