Two people were arrested and a third person was picked up on an arrest warrant following a traffic stop in the town of Oneonta on March 14, 2026.
Troopers near Motel 88 in the city of Oneonta observed suspicious activity in the parking lot when one male exited a vehicle and the vehicle drove off on Chestnut Street. Troopers observed vehicle and traffic violations and initiated a traffic stop.
While interviewing the operator of the vehicle, Ashley L. Darran, 45 of Unadilla, a Trooper observed characteristics associated with impairment. Darran was asked to perform Standardized Field Tests, which confirmed impairment. Darran was arrested for the misdemeanor of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Drugs.
A passenger in the vehicle, Barbara B. Walley, 40 of Walton was found in possession of suspected illegal drugs and brass knuckles (illegal to possess in New York). Walley was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th degree, both misdemeanors.
The male who had exited the vehicle was found to have an active warrant with the City of Norwich Police Department and was turned over to an Otsego County Sheriff’s Deputy to be transported to the City of Norwich to answer to his charges.
Darran and Walley were processed at SP Oneonta and issued appearance tickets to the Oneonta Town Court on April 21, 2026.