Shane Cronin, 31, of Lombard, Illinois, was sentenced to five years in prison and five years of post-release supervision on Wednesday for attempting to kidnap a Buffalo Public School student, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office.
According to the DA’s office, on February 11, 2025, Cronin unlawfully entered a school near Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and attempted to seduce and abduct a student before being confronted by a school staff member. Cronin struck the school employee, pushed her to the ground, and rushed out of the building when security intervened. He was arrested shortly afterwards.
An Illinois man was sentenced to prison after attempting to kidnap a Buffalo Public School student.
In November of 2025, Cronin pleaded guilty to the charges listed below:
- One count of Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree (Class “C” violent felony)
- One count of Burglary in the Third Degree (Class “D” felony)
- One count of Attempted Luring a Child (Class “E” felony)
- One count of Attempted Assault in the Second Degree (Class “E” felony)
- One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class “A” misdemeanor)
Final orders of protection for the victims will remain in effect until 2038.