Informational Release
On March 18, 2025, the Cornell University Police Investigations Unit and the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division executed a search warrant at an address on Bone Plain Road in the Town of Dryden. The search warrant was part of an ongoing investigation into reported thefts from construction sites on the Cornell campus.
The search warrant led to the discovery of multiple hand tools, battery-operated tools and rechargeable batteries which had been reported stolen or were suspected of being stolen. An estimated $30,000 worth of stolen property was recovered. Also seized from the address were several illegal firearms and high-capacity magazines.
Jarrod C. Nickerson, 35, of Dryden, was arrested and charged by the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office following the search warrant with four counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a class D felony, and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a Class C felony. Nickerson was arraigned and held at the Tompkins County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail or $150,000 bond.
On March 27, 2025, additional charges were filed by Cornell University Police and the Tompkins County Sheriff’s office: one count each of third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of stolen property, all Class D felonies, and one count of petit larceny, a Class A misdemeanor. Nickerson was arraigned on the additional charges and remains held at the Tompkins County Jail.