14-04-2025
Oneida Co. Sheriff faces arson charges after Kellogg Ave. fire
UTICA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — An Oneida County Sheriff's Deputy is facing arson charges after allegedly setting a fire at a home while on duty in West Utica.
The Utica Fire Department was called to the Kellogg Avenue fire at approximately 4:30 am on Wednesday, April 9. Upon their arrival, smoke was visible from the two-story home. According to firefighters, the owner was able to knock down some of the fire with two extinguishers available to them before their arrival.
An initial investigation found that the fire started at the rear of the building and was confined to the rear of the building. The fire required an extensive overhaul in the rear of the building to extinguish hot spots throughout the building.
Utica firefighters reported no injuries at the scene.
The Daily Sentinel reported that the fire was ruled an arson by Utica Police later Wednesday morning. Police also named Oneida County Sheriff's Deputy Aaron Alshaman as a potential suspect.
The Sentinel also reported that on Friday, April 11, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office filed an application for a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order against Alshaman. The order sought to relieve him of any firearms he owned because he allegedly posed a risk to himself or others.
The application also stated that during the fire on April 9, Alshaman was on duty as a sheriff's deputy and that an Automated Vehicle Location system showed that he was near the scene of the fire. According to the application, Alshaman was also in an 'intimate relationship' with one of the residents at the time of the fire.
'After an investigation into the cause of the fire, it was determined that it was arson At this time, the respondent is believed to be the person that started the fire based on strong physical evidence…
This behavior is uncharacteristic for the respondent and calls into question his mental state. It is believed that the respondent, due to his uncertain mental health, should not be allowed to possess or purchase any firearms at this time.'
— Quoted from the Oneida County Sheriff's Office's application for a Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order against Deputy Aaron Alshaman.
The protection order has since been granted, and Alshaman has been placed on leave by the Oneida County Sheriff's Office. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16.
The fire — and the alleged arson — remain under investigation.
This is an ongoing investigation. We will provide more information as it becomes available to us.
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