NEW HARTFORD, NY - A Utica man is accused of damaging multiple emergency communication and cell towers throughout two counties.
The Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and Utica Police Department say in early November they started to receive complaints about damage to cell phone in Oneida and Herkimer counties, as well as disruptions to radio and cell phone frequencies.
On Wednesday, police were called to Campion Road in New Hartford for a report of someone who had jumped a fence and tried to shut off power to a tower on National Grid property. Deputies say after a brief search they located 38-year-old Nathaniel Sergio at his home in Utica, where he was arrested.
While he was being interviewed by police, Sergio allegedly admitted to damaging other towers in Oneida and Herkimer counties, leading to several additional charges.
Sergio is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal mischief, two counts of criminal tampering, and one count of criminal trespass for all of the alleged incidents.
Police say Sergio was released on his own recognizance due to bail reform laws.
