Waterville Man Arrested for False Emergency Calls, Assault on Deputy

Cameron Buell, 23, faces multiple charges after incident on Stafford Avenue North

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A 23-year-old Waterville man named Cameron Buell has been arrested and charged with falsely reporting an incident, aggravated harassment, harassment, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration. The charges stem from an incident on February 23rd where Buell made 11 additional calls to the 911 center reporting an alleged emergency and threatening a dispatcher, as well as punching a deputy and resisting arrest when officers responded to the scene.

Why it matters

False emergency calls and assaults on law enforcement officers are serious issues that can divert critical resources away from actual emergencies and put public safety at risk. This case highlights the need for accountability around misuse of 911 services and violence against police.

The details

According to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, a patrol deputy responded to a reported larceny complaint on Stafford Avenue North in Waterville at 9:01 a.m. on February 23rd. The deputy determined no larceny had occurred. However, at approximately 11:26 a.m., Buell contacted the Oneida County 911 Center 11 additional times to report an alleged emergency and threatened physical harm to a dispatcher. When a deputy and state troopers arrived on the scene to confirm there was no emergency, Buell threatened to shoot at officers and punched a deputy in the head before resisting arrest.

  • On February 23rd, a patrol deputy responded to a reported larceny complaint at 9:01 a.m.
  • On February 23rd, at approximately 11:26 a.m., Buell contacted the 911 center 11 additional times.
  • On February 27th, Buell was arrested and transported to the Waterville Field Office for processing after being released from the hospital.

The players

Cameron Buell

A 23-year-old Waterville man who was arrested and charged with falsely reporting an incident, aggravated harassment, harassment, resisting arrest, and obstructing governmental administration.

Robert Maciol

The Oneida County Sheriff who provided details about the incident and Buell's arrest.

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What they’re saying

“False emergency calls and assaults on law enforcement officers are serious issues that can divert critical resources away from actual emergencies and put public safety at risk.”

— Robert Maciol, Oneida County Sheriff (newportdispatch.com)

What’s next

Buell is expected to appear in court in the coming days to face the charges against him.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of responsible use of 911 services and the consequences of violence against police officers, who play a critical role in maintaining public safety in the community.