Oneida Man Arrested at Verona Beach State Park, Wanted for Crimes in Texas

On June 28, 2025, at 6:09 p.m., State Police responded to the Verona Beach State Park in the town of Verona, Oneida County, for an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle complaint.  

On arrival, Troopers observed the vehicle in question parked in a parking space with several skid marks around it.  Troopers interviewed the vehicle owner who stated that a male, later identified as Joel M. Emerson, age 33, from Oneida, NY took her vehicle without permission while she was in the water and then drove it erratically through the public parking lot.  Troopers also interviewed a State Park Ranger who observed Emerson operating the vehicle erratically through the parking lot.  

Troopers then interviewed Emerson who appeared to be impaired.  Troopers noted a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle and Emerson's clothing.  Emerson was given standardized field sobriety testing which he subsequently failed.  Emerson was then placed under arrest. 

Emerson was transported to SP Sylvan Beach and charged with the following:

• Operating a Motor Vehicle Impaired by Drugs (Misdemeanor)
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation 1st: Impaired by Drugs (Class E Felony)
• Operating a vehicle without a license (Infraction)

During processing, Emerson was also found to have an arrest warrant out of the state of Texas with full extradition for assault on a public servant and attempt to take the weapon of an officer.  

Emerson was then turned over to the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation as a Fugitive from Justice and transported to the Oneida County Jail for arraignment.