According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, a Town of…

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, a Town of Lee man has been arrested for Criminal Possession of a Firearm. On July 25, 2025, Sheriff’s Deputies who were assigned to the Boonville Oneida County Fair responded to a report of a found handgun that had been located inside one of the amusement park rides. Upon arrival, it was learned that the handgun was found by an adult patron who was entering the ride. The handgun was loaded at the time it was found but was safely turned over to law enforcement without any injuries. The incident was later turned over to the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit as it was believed that the owner of the handgun had entered the fair despite it being signed at all entrances that firearms and weapons were not allowed, which was in violation of the New York State Penal Law. During the investigation, it was learned that Keith Ouderkirk, age 42, of Lee Center, who had a valid New York State Pistol Permit, had entered the Boonville Oneida County Fair with his handgun and had been on the ride where his handgun had fallen out of his pocket. Ouderkirk was subsequently arrested on August 27, 2025 and charged with one count of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Rifle or Shotgun in a Sensitive Location, a Class E Felony. Ouderkirk was processed and issued an appearance ticket returnable to Boonville Town Court at a later date.