BUFFALO, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 33-year-old Christopher L. Taylor of Buffalo pleaded this morning before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan to one count of Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class “B” felony). The defendant pleaded guilty to the only charge in the indictment against him.
On August 11, 2021, at approximately 8:58 a.m., the defendant abducted an adult female from a parking lot on Pearl Street by forcing the victim into his vehicle at gunpoint. The defendant blindfolded the victim and drove her to an unknown residence before driving her to two bank locations in the City of Buffalo. The defendant forced the victim to attempt to withdraw money from the ATM at both banks. When the transactions from the victim’s bank account were denied, the defendant drove to Wick Street where he allowed the victim to exit his vehicle.
During the course of the kidnapping, the defendant stole the victim’s cell phone and bank card before placing her purse into a garbage tote on Wick Street.
After she was released, the victim ran southbound on Wick Street toward Broadway where she found an Erie County Sheriff’s Office deputy and reported the incident.
Taylor faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. He continues to be held without bail.
DA Flynn commends the Buffalo Police Department and the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for their work in the investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nicholas C. Bussi of the Felony Trials Bureau.