Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 20-year-old Courtland M. Renford of Buffalo has been arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice M. William Boller, acting as a Buffalo City Court Judge, on one count of Arson in the Third Degree, a Class “C” felony, and one count of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class “D” felony. The defendant was virtually arraigned yesterday afternoon.

It is alleged that on Saturday, May 30, 2020, at approximately 11:32 p.m., the defendant intentionally threw an object that was on fire through a first-floor window of Buffalo City Hall, causing approximately $10,000 in damage. The incident occurred during a protest in Niagara Square. The fire was quickly extinguished by Buffalo firefighters.

Renford is scheduled to return on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for a felony hearing.

If convicted on all charges, Renford faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.

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