According to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Chief…

According to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Derrick O'Meara, who is the Director of the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center, a Utica man has been arrested for having sexual contact with an underage female child.

The investigation began on January 05, 2021, when it was reported that 34 year old Ferris Bell had sexual contact with a 15 year old female child in the City of Utica. Oneida County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Ryan Marshall, who is assigned to the CAC, was assigned to the case. Utica Police Department Investigator Titus Ciccone assisted with the investigation.

On January 12, 2021, Ferris Bell was arrested by Investigators Marshall and Ciccone. Bell was charged with Rape in the 3rd Degree, a Class E Felony.

Bell was taken to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Correctional Facility where he was arraigned in CAP Court and remanded to the facility in lieu of $7,500 cash bail or $15,000 bond.

An Order of Protection has been requested on behalf of the victim and services have been offered to the child through the Child Advocacy Center.