In the early hours of January 20, 2024, Utica Police Department officers, while on a GIVE (Gun Involved Violence Elimination) detail, conducted a vehicle stop on Stark Street due to violations of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
During the stop, the officers observed the driver, identified as 42-year-old Samuel Kearney of Utica, appearing nervous and repeatedly reaching into his pockets. Despite being instructed to stop these actions, Kearney was seen removing a plastic bag containing a white substance, believed to be cocaine, from his pocket and trying to hide it between the car seats.
Upon asking Kearney to exit the vehicle for further investigation, the situation escalated. When the officers informed him of his impending detainment and attempted to handcuff him, Kearney resisted by pushing the officers and physically resisting arrest.
Following a brief altercation, the officers successfully subdued and handcuffed Kearney, placing him in a police vehicle. The retrieved substance was confirmed to be consistent with cocaine. Due to the amount of narcotics found, an investigator from the Special Investigations Unit was called in for charging purposes. Kearney was transported to the Utica Police Department for processing.