The New York State Police have arrested a Utica man following an investigation into unauthorized and threatening radio transmissions. Police allege the suspect made these threats over a public safety radio frequency used by emergency responders in Herkimer County.
On Tuesday, Nov. 18 an employee of a state police communications vendor reported hearing a male transmitting threatening and racially charged statements over the Herkimer County law enforcement radio channel. The vendor was monitoring activity in the town of New Hartford. The transmissions included comments about committing acts of violence.
Troopers assigned to SP Marcy Bureau of Criminal Investigation conducted interviews, secured recordings of the transmissions, and identified the individual responsible as Stacey Snell, 53, Utica. Snell is known to law enforcement from prior investigations involving unauthorized radio transmissions.
On Wednesday, Nov. 26 investigators executed a temporary extreme risk protection order at Snell’s residence and recovered a handheld radio believed to have been used during the incident. Troopers took Snell into custody without incident.
Authorities charged Snell with:
– making a terroristic threat, a class D felony.
– second-degree aggravated harassment, a class A misdemeanor.
– second-degree obstructing governmental administration, a class A misdemeanor.
Authorities processed Snell at SP Marcy and arraigned him in Oneida County CAP Court.
The investigation remains ongoing.
