UPD: Loaded 9mm, Narcotics Found During Late-Night Stop in Utica

JULY 29, 2025

UTICA, NY — Late Monday night, a traffic stop in Utica escalated into a drug and weapons bust.

Around 10:45 p.m., officers from the Utica Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit pulled over a vehicle on the 100 block of Eagle Street for New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law violations. But what began as a standard stop took a turn when officers noticed conflicting statements from the driver and passenger.

As both men were asked to step out of the vehicle for further questioning, officers spotted several corner knot baggies, commonly used for narcotics, scattered on the vehicle floor. Upon closer inspection, the baggies were confirmed to contain suspected illegal substances.

The situation intensified when a search of the driver led to the discovery of a loaded 9mm handgun tucked in his waistband. Officers immediately secured the weapon and took both men into custody.

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The driver, Frank Fandino, 53, of Utica, now faces multiple serious charges including:

▪︎ Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd degree

▪︎ Two counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd degree (due to a prior conviction and a high-capacity magazine)

▪︎ Criminal Possession of a Firearm

▪︎ Vehicle and traffic violations

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His passenger, Clay Kahler, 60, also of Utica, was charged with:

▪︎ Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree