ERIE COUNTY, NY – Michael Askew, 67, of Cheektowaga, was arraigned Tuesday morning before Buffalo City Court Judge Andrew C. LoTempio. Askew, while on duty as a school bus driver, allegedly made a verbal threat towards a student in the presence of other children on Thursday, April 20, 2023. This incident occurred on the school bus on the 300 block of Roehrer Avenue in Buffalo. The Buffalo Police Department obtained a temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) on Monday, April 24.
Askew is due to return for further proceedings on Tuesday, June 6.
He is currently released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail.
Separately, Askew was arraigned before Erie County Court Judge James Bargnesi on charges of Criminal Possession of a Weapon. The Buffalo Police Department Threat Management Unit and Buffalo Police SWAT conducted a search at Askew’s home on Woodridge Avenue in Cheektowaga on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. Investigators allegedly discovered an illegal rifle with a pistol grip and a detachable magazine.