Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty To Throwing A Burning Basket Into Buffalo City Hall During Violent Protests

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Courtland Renford, 22, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara to rioting. The charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan, who is handling the case, stated that on May 30, 2020, the defendant participated in the looting and rioting of a 7-11 convenience store located on the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Summer Avenue in Buffalo. At approximately 10:10 p.m., a large group shattered the front door of the 7-11 and began looting the store.  Renford was one of the first individuals to enter the 7-11 and his conduct was captured on surveillance footage.

Later that same evening, at approximately 11:25 p.m., Renford participated in a public protest near Buffalo City Hall, resulting in significant property damage and looting. During the protest Renford threw a burning laundry basket into a broken window of Buffalo City Hall, resulting in a fire inside the building. Buffalo firefighters extinguished the fire, which damaged and/or destroyed items inside Buffalo City Hall.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Byron Lockwood.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2021, before Judge Arcara.

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