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 in March of 2024. The case was assigned to Utica Police Investigator Ryan Kelly, who is assigned to the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center.

Investigator Kelly’s Investigation found that Dequan Gray, age 27, had sexual contact with a child less than 17 years old. Gray was unable to be located, so an arrest warrant was requested and approved by Utica City Court.

On October 30, 2024, Gray was located in the City of Utica by members of the Utica Police Department’s Patrol Division, and subsequently arrested. Gray was arraigned on the charges of Sexual Abuse in the 3rd Degree, a Class B Misdemeanor, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A Misdemeanor. After the arraignment, Gray was remanded to the Oneida County Jail in lieu of $7,000 cash bail.

Services have been offered to the victim by the Child Advocacy Center and an order of protection was issued on behalf of the child.