Oneida County (NY) District Attorney's Office

Today we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Wishing everyone a meaningful Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Oneida County District Attorney Todd Carville served as the guest speaker at the Waterville Brothertown Optimist Club meeting honoring local law enforcement officials during their “Respect for Law” program presented by Lee Pavlot.

Assistant District Attorney Paige Padula and Oneida County Sheriff’s Deputy Benjamin Petrie, both Waterville graduates and former Students of the Month, were honored for their ongoing dedication and service to law enforcement in Oneida County.

During National Police Week, we honor and thank the brave men and women in law enforcement who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities. Your courage, sacrifice, and commitment to serving others do not go unnoticed.

Thank you for the long hours, the difficult decisions, and the unwavering dedication you show every day. We are grateful for all you do to keep our families and neighborhoods safe.

To all officers and their families — thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Former Town of New Hartford employee Edgar Lopez-Duran, 46 of Utica, was arraigned on April 24, 2026, in Oneida County Court after being indicted by an Oneida County Grand Jury. Lopez-Duran was indicted on one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D Felony and six counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, class E Felonies.
Lopez-Duran is being accused of stealing over $3,000.00 from June through September of 2025 by falsifying time sheets that reported time worked that was not performed.
Lopez-Duran was arraigned in front of the Honorable Robert L. Bauer, released, and is scheduled to reappear in Oneida County Court on May 15th.

Today we also remember UPD Officer Thomas Lindsey, who was killed in the line of duty 19 years ago. Your sacrifice will forever be remembered and never forgotten.

On April 11, 2018, Patrolman Kevin Crossley of the Whitesboro Police Department lost his life in a motor vehicle accident while on duty. Please take a moment to remember his commitment to serving our community.

Utica Man Found Guilty of Multiple Drug Charges After Trial

Following a two (2) day jury trial in Oneida County Court, an Oneida County Jury returned a verdict of GUILTY on January 28, 2026, convicting Nicky Woods (53) of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree.

It was found that on July 28, 2025, while in the City of Utica, Nicky Woods did possess a quantity of co***ne. Woods then sold that co***ne to an undercover police officer who was conducting routine surveillance within the City of Utica. Nicky Woods is scheduled to be sentenced on March 24, 2026 in front of the Honorable Michael R. Nolan.

This case was investigated by the Utica Police Department Special Investigation’s Unit and was prosecuted by Special Victims Bureau Chief Amanda M. Tucciarone and Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Arcuri.

Wynder Sentenced to Prison Term for March 1, 2025, Shooting at Sangertown Square Mall Shooting

On Tuesday January 27, 2026, Malachi Wynder was sentenced by the Honorable Michael R. Nolan in Oneida County Court to a state prison term of fifteen years and five years post-release supervision following his conviction for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree. Additionally, Wynder received a sentence of two and one-third to seven years for his conviction to Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree. These sentences are to be served concurrently.

The investigation was led by the New Hartford Police Department, who should be commended for their work on-scene in both the collection of evidence as well as directing and organizing the multi-agency response as a result of Wynder’s crimes.

As to all of the surrounding agencies who assisted: the New York State Police, Utica Police Department, Yorkville Police Department, New York Mills Police Department, and the Whitesboro Police Department, your assistance in making yourself available to the New Hartford Police Department is demonstrative of your commitment to a safe community and was essential in bringing the defendant to justice.

The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Todd Carville, Senior Assistant District Attorney Sarah DeMellier, and Bureau Chiefs Amanda Tucciarone and Nick Fletcher.

Man Sentenced to 25 Years in State Prison for Burglary Conviction

Wilson Rentas- Jimenez (49) was found guilty by an Oneida County jury on two counts of Burglary in the First Degree, three counts of Burglary in the Second Degree and one count of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. The jury heard evidence that Rentas-Jimenez, broke through a storm door and attacked a woman in view of members of the Utica Fire Department. Rentas-Jimenez armed himself with pieces of glass from the door he broke through during the attack and caused physical injury to the victim.

Members of the Utica Fire Department were quick to act in heroic fashion, entering the home, disarming and extracting Rentas-Jimenez, all while he fought with them. Rentas-Jimenez was sentenced on January 16, 2026, before the Honorable Michael R. Nolan and received 25 years State Prison with 5 years post release supervision on both counts of Burglary in the First Degree, 15 years State Prison and 5 years post release supervision on all three counts of Burglary in the Second Degree, and an indeterminate term of imprisonment of three and one-half to seven years State Prison on Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree as a Second Felony Offender. These sentences are to run concurrently with each other.

The Oneida County District Attorney’s Office would like to commend Captain Justin Valenta, Firefighter Matthew Buttenschon, and Firefighter Brian Hogan of the Utica Fire Department for their quick and heroic efforts to save the victim from further injury and bring Rentas-Jimenez to justice.

Chief Assistant District Attorney William J. Barry III was the assigned prosecutor.

True justice means fairness and equality under the law. Today, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let us take time to honor the mission of working together to achieve true justice.