Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 36-year-old Sara J. Lilley of Springville was arraigned this morning before Springville Village Court Justice Kelly O’Neal Adams on one count of Arson in the Second Degree (Class “B” felony).  

It is alleged that on Monday, January 23, 2023, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Erie County Sheriff’s Office deputies and multiple volunteer fire companies responded to a fire at an apartment building on North Buffalo Street in the Village of Springville. The fire damaged multiple apartment units. No injuries were reported, but several residents were displaced. The defendant, who resided in the apartment building, is accused of setting the fire.  

Lilley is scheduled to return on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. for a felony hearing. She was held without bail.

If convicted of the charge, Lilley faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison.    

DA Flynn commends the Erie County Sheriff’s Office Fire Investigation Unit, Springville Volunteer Fire Company and the numerous volunteer fire companies for their work in this ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Erie County Sheriff’s Office at 716-858-2903.

Lilley also has a separate pending criminal case in Springville Village Court. The defendant was arraigned before Justice O’Neal Adams on October 21, 2022. She is charged with one count of Burglary in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony) and one count of Petit Larceny (Class “A” misdemeanor).

It is alleged that on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at approximately 5:57 p.m., the defendant knowingly entered and remained unlawfully inside of a store on the 300 block of South Cascade Drive in the Village of Springville with the intent to commit a crime. The defendant allegedly stole $38.04 in merchandise. At the time of the alleged crime, the defendant was banned from the store after a previous shoplifting incident in February 2022.

At the arraignment, the defendant was released on her own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. Today, Justice O’Neal Adams revoked bail in the pending burglary case as the defendant is accused of committing a felony while released on a pending felony charge.  Lilley is scheduled to return on Friday, February 17, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. for further proceedings.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Garvey 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.