City of Utica Couple Arrested Following Traffic Stop in New Hartford, NY

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, a City of Utica couple was taken into custody following a traffic stop on Commercial Drive in the Town of New Hartford on Saturday evening.

On November 29th, 2025, at approximately 7:00 p.m., a Road Patrol Deputy initiated a traffic stop on Commercial Drive. Upon speaking with the occupants, the Deputy determined that they had recently been involved in a dispute at the Sangertown Mall, an incident already under investigation by the New Hartford Police Department.

While the Deputy was addressing the traffic stop, several additional individuals—also connected to the earlier dispute—arrived at the scene in a separate vehicle. One of them, Melissa Henderson, age 42, began crossing Commercial Drive, intentionally blocking vehicular traffic in violation of Disorderly Conduct (NYS PL 240.20 sub 5). As the Deputy attempted to detain Henderson, another member of the arriving group, Stephen Bembry, age 35, began pushing Deputies and physically interfering with their investigation.

Both Henderson and Bembry resisted arrest and were subsequently taken into custody. During the struggle, Henderson also kicked one of the Deputies attempting to detain her.

Following the investigation, the two were charged as follows:

Melissa Henderson (42):

• Disorderly Conduct (Violation)

• Harassment in the Second Degree (Violation)

• Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)

• Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor)

Stephen Bembry (35):

• Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)

• Resisting Arrest (Class A Misdemeanor)

Henderson and Bembry were transported to the Kurt B. Wyman Law Enforcement Building for processing and were later held at the Oneida County Jail pending arraignment in CAP Court.

Assisting agencies at the scene included the New Hartford Police Department, Whitestown Police Department, New York Mills Police Department, and the New York State Police.

Sergeant Brady Wood #66

Oneida County Sheriff’s Office

6065 Judd Road, Oriskany, NY 13424

Sheriff’s Line: 315-736-0141