Upstate New York Dirt Bike Case Blows Up Into Massive Weapons Bust

What started as a simple stolen dirt bike report turned into a massive multi-agency takedown in Central New York, leading to the arrest of two Homer residents and the seizure of an alarming amount of weapons, drugs, and stolen property.

Unexpected Leads Expand the Case

State Police say the case quickly grew far beyond what anyone expected when investigators followed a trail from social media to a home packed with illegal items.

Father and Son Arrested in Homer

On January 14, 2026, New York State Police arrested Clayton J. Carley, 26, and Jeffrey C. Carley, 60, both from the Town of Homer in Cortland County.

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Facing Serious Charges

Both men are now facing a long list of felony and misdemeanor charges, including possession of loaded firearms, assault-style weapons, illegal drug possession with intent to sell, and possession of stolen property. Investigators say the number and type of weapons found raised serious public safety concerns.

Facebook Marketplace Listing Sparks Break in the Case

The investigation traces back to a burglary reported in Oswego County in August 2024, in which a dirt bike was stolen.

Key Clue Found Online

Nearly a year and a half later, on January 12, 2026, investigators spotted that same dirt bike listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. Thanks to visible custom details in the photos, the victim was able to positively identify the bike as their stolen property. The listing led troopers straight to the Town of Homer.

Interview Raises Suspicion and Pushes Case Forward

Members of the Troop D Community Stabilization Unit went to the home to question Clayton Carley about the dirt bike.

According to State Police, Carley claimed the bike had already been sold, but investigators say he was evasive and provided information later found to be false. That interaction prompted police to dig deeper and move toward securing a search warrant.

Multi-Unit Search Reveals Massive Cache of Illegal Items

On January 14, troopers from Troop D and Troop C, along with uniformed members from the Homer barracks and investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, executed a search warrant at the residence shared by the two men.

What they uncovered was extensive.

Dozens of Guns and High-Powered Weapons Seized

During the search, State Police recovered an enormous collection of weapons, including:

• Three handguns
• Five assault-style rifles
• A loaded shotgun with a shortened barrel, legally classified as a firearm
• Multiple high-capacity ammunition feeding devices
• More than 40 additional rifles and shotguns
• Two daggers, a baton, and brass knuckles

Authorities say the sheer volume of firearms alone made the situation extremely dangerous.

Large Quantities of Drugs and Marijuana Plants Found

In addition to weapons, troopers also seized significant amounts of illegal drugs, including:

• About 18 pounds of cannabis flower
• Roughly 6 pounds of concentrated cannabis
• Around 5 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms
• More than 12 mature marijuana plants and over 50 younger plants

Police also confiscated more than $5,000 in cash, which investigators believe is connected to illegal drug sales.

Stolen Motorcycle Also Recovered

Along with the dirt bike that sparked the investigation, State Police also recovered a stolen 2024 motorcycle from the property, adding another layer to the case.

Suspects Booked and Held for Arraignment

Both Clayton and Jeffrey Carley were processed at the State Police in Homer and then transported to the Cortland County Jail, where they were held for centralized arraignment on the extensive list of charges.

Buyer Helps Police Recover Stolen Dirt Bike

Further investigation revealed that Clayton Carley had sold the stolen dirt bike to someone living in the Buffalo area.

State Police contacted the buyer, who cooperated fully and arranged to turn the bike over to troopers in Hastings. The dirt bike is now back in police custody and can be returned to the victim.

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From One Theft to a Major Takedown

What began as a single stolen dirt bike report ultimately led to the removal of dozens of illegal weapons and large amounts of drugs from a New York community, thanks to cooperation between multiple State Police units and tips that started with a simple online listing.