Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that a 16-year-old male from Buffalo was arraigned this morning before Youth Part Judge Brenda M. Freedman on one count of Making a Terroristic Threat (Class “D” felony), two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class “E” felonies) and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors).

The adolescent offender is accused of posting a threat toward Hutchinson Central Technical High School involving the use of a firearm on a social media platform. Once the suspect was identified with assistance from the FBI Buffalo office, the Buffalo Police Department obtained an Extreme Risk Protection Order with a search provision for the adolescent offender.

On Sunday, October 23, 2022, at approximately 8:07 a.m., a search was conducted at the adolescent offender’s home on the 200 block of Florida Street in the City of Buffalo. Investigators found two illegal handguns inside of the house. The weapons were seized as evidence and submitted for testing.

The adolescent offender was initially arraigned yesterday before Buffalo City Court Judge Samuel Davis, acting as a Youth Part Court Judge, and released to the custody of his grandfather.

Today, the adolescent offender was released under supervision with an ankle monitor device. Judge Freedman issued a temporary order of protection, which orders the adolescent offender to stay away from the school.

The adolescent offender is scheduled to return on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. for motions. If convicted as an adult on the highest count, he faces a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison.

Two residents of the home were also charged for possession of the illegal guns. This morning, 50-year-old Bishara Lott of Buffalo was arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin J. Keane on one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony) and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony).

Bishara Lott, Sr. is scheduled to return on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing. He was remanded without bail.  

If convicted of the highest charge, Lott faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

A co-defendant, 38-year-old Crystalann Lott, was charged with two counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (Class “E” felonies) and two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class “A” misdemeanors). She was given an appearance ticket as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail.

Crystalann Lott is scheduled to be arraigned in Buffalo City Court on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

“Any threat will be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Erie County DA John Flynn.

DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation Buffalo Office for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Justin T. Wallens and Assistant District Attorney Denise A. Herman of the Felony Trials Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.