Late-night dumpster search lands man in Herkimer with meth
On June 16, 2025, at about 3:05 a.m., New York State Police were called to Street Ponte Chevrolet on Route 28 in Herkimer. Two men were spotted going through a dumpster at the dealership.
When troopers arrived, they questioned the men. The men turned out to have active warrants from other law enforcement agencies, so the troopers detained them. During a search, police found methamphetamine and a pipe on one of the men.
Who was arrested?
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Defendant: 24‑year‑old Kaleb Horan of Herkimer
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Charges: Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree, a Class A misdemeanor
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Outcome: Horan was issued an appearance ticket and will appear in Herkimer Town Court at a later date
What you need to know
🚨 What is meth in New York?
Methamphetamine is a strong stimulant and is illegal to have without a prescription. Possession is treated as a misdemeanor. Even small amounts can lead to arrest.
Why check warrants?
A “warrant” means someone can be arrested at any time. These two men were already wanted by other police, so once troopers discovered that, they had to detain them.
Local relevance
Herkimer County struggles with drug-related crime. State Police say they’re focusing on small-time drug arrests to prevent bigger public safety problems. Still, finding someone dumpster-diving at 3 a.m. suggests other issues—like people searching for recyclables, food or discarded tools.
What this case shows is how routine checks can uncover bigger legal problems. It also signals that even minor incidents at odd hours can attract police attention—and lead to charges.
What’s next
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Horan will attend a court hearing in Herkimer Town Court.
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More information will be available after his arraignment.
This case highlights how interconnected law enforcement can be. Starting with what might seem like a harmless scene—two men dumpster-diving—the discovery of active warrants and drugs shows how many small factors play a role in arrests. It’s a reminder that even casual late-night actions can have legal consequences.
And it speaks to a bigger issue: Herkimer, like many Mohawk Valley communities, is facing everyday drug challenges—making even small busts newsworthy.
