UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — A Utica man faces drug charges after Utica Police made a traffic stop in the city on Thursday, November 2.
Officers conducted a motor vehicle stop neat the intersection of Schuyler Street and Court Street for Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. When they spoke with the driver — 38-year-old Orlando Gomez-Nieves of Utica — it was learned that the vehicle’s registration was suspended.
Officers then ordered Gomez-Nieves out of the car for further interviewing. As he left the car, officers noticed a quantity of narcotics in the car. While attempting to take Gomez-Nieves into custody, he began to flee, resulting in a struggle with officers.
Eventually, officers were able to restrain Gomez-Nieves. He was subsequently transported to the Utica Police Department, where he was charged with:
- Fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class C felony,
- two counts of seventh-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Class A misdemeanor,
- Resisting Arrest, a Class A misdemeanor, and
- Obstructing Governmental Administration, a Class A misdemeanor.
