Posted on: May 08, 2026 02:00 PM

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State Police arrest Vienna man on weapons charges

On May 6, 2026, State Police arrested Harvey J. Dingman, age 51, of Vienna, following an investigation into a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) denial related to the attempted purchase of a firearm.

Dingman was charged with:

• Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree (Class E felony)

• Attempted Criminal Purchase or Disposal of a Weapon (Class E felony)

• Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (Class A misdemeanor)

• Failure to Safely Store Rifles, Shotguns, and Firearms in the First Degree (Class A misdemeanor)

The investigation was conducted by the New York State Police Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit – NICS and the New York State Police Oneida Bureau of Criminal Investigation following a NICS denial received through the Crime Analysis Center.

Investigation revealed Dingman allegedly provided false information on a federal firearm purchase form while attempting to buy a rifle at the Walmart Supercenter in the city of Rome on April 20, 2026. A subsequent NICS background check denied the purchase due to a prior disqualifying conviction. Investigators determined Dingman was prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms under New York State law.

Subsequent to the execution of a search warrant at Dingman’s residence, State Police located and seized three long guns that were unlawfully possessed by Dingman. One of the three long guns was not safely secured in the residence.

Dingman was taken into custody and issued appearance tickets returnable to the Rome City Court and the Vienna Town Court on June 2, 2026.

From NYSP