UTICA — An Oneida County Sheriff’s deputy has been indicted on attempted murder and arson charges after allegedly setting fire to his ex-partner’s home while their infant child was inside.
Aaron Alshaman, 29, of Lee Center, was arrested May 8 following a month-long investigation into the April 9 fire at 1117 Kellogg Ave.
Utica Police and Fire Departments responded to the residence at 4:32 a.m. when the homeowner called 911 after being overwhelmed by smoke.
The woman escaped the burning home with her infant child and two parents before firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze.
Investigators determined the fire was likely arson and began collecting evidence, including surveillance footage from nearby residences.
One video from Downer Avenue showed a figure starting the fire, while another from Kellogg Avenue captured an individual walking toward the home with a gas can and later running from the scene.
Automatic Vehicle Location data revealed Alshaman’s sheriff’s vehicle was parked in a lot one street west of the residence during the fire and left minutes after the blaze started.
Investigators collected additional electronic evidence including cell phones, smart watches, surveillance video, body-worn camera data, and information from the sheriff’s vehicle.
The evidence was presented to the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, resulting in a grand jury indictment on four counts of attempted murder in the second degree and one count of arson in the second degree.
Alshaman was booked at the Utica Police Department and arraigned in Oneida County Court on May 8.
