NEW HARTFORD, NY — A registered sex offender was arrested after failing to notify authorities of an address change following a police sweep of a Seneca Turnpike motel.
Ernesto Martinez, 55, of Utica, was charged with one count of failing to notify of an address change within 10 days, a class E felony.
The arrest came after the New Hartford Police Department conducted a sweep of 8163 Seneca Turnpike on Oct. 15 in response to concerns raised by residents during a town board meeting.
Police were checking on two registered sex offenders residing at the location when they discovered Martinez, a Level 3 sex offender registered as living there, was not present.
Investigators obtained a warrant for Martinez on Oct. 15 and located him in Utica on Friday morning.
Martinez was taken into custody and transported to the New Hartford Police Department before being taken to the Oneida County Jail to be held for arraignment.
The arrest warrant was executed by the United States Marshals Service – NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force, which includes members from the U.S. Marshals Service, New Hartford Police, Utica Police, Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, Oneida County Probation Department, New York State Police and New York State Parole.
During the sweep, the town codes enforcement officer cited the owner of 8163 Seneca Turnpike for multiple fire code violations.
