Man Arrested After Being Accused of Stalking Found with Shotgun

A Vernon man has been arrested by the Oneida County Sheriff's Office following a stalking complaint in the Town of Vernon.

Oneida County Sheriff Rob Maciol announced the arrest Tuesday as deputies were contacted to investigate the complaint of stalking. Maciol says deputies arrested 33-year-old James Rydzeski at his home.

Photo Courtesy of Oneida County Sheriff's Office

Sheriff Maciol says Rydzeski allegedly engaged in a course of conduct against the victim over several days leading up to his arrest. The course of conduct included showing up at the victim's home, sending threatening messages and leaving threatening voicemails on the victim's phone, according to Sheriff Maciol.

Ultimately, the alleged activities led to deputies arresting Rydzeski at his home and upon taking him into custody deputies discovered he was in possession of a shotgun. Having been previously convicted of a felony, he was not authorized to possess a firearm. Therefore, in addition to the Stalking charge officials say Rydzeski has been charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree.

Following his arrest Rydzeski was transported to Oneida County Centralized Arraignment.

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