Cayuga County sheriff's deputies arrested an 18-year-old Weedsport man after he allegedly pulled a large kitchen knife during an argument at a local hotel and threatened to kill the other person involved. Brian K. Bell III was taken into custody at the Rodeway Inn and Suites on Erie Drive just before 8:10 p.m. on Oct. 3, roughly 14 minutes after deputies were first dispatched to the scene.
Deputies responded to a weapon complaint at the hotel, located at 2709 Erie Drive, according to Fingerlakes1.com. Investigators say Bell displayed the knife during an argument and threatened to kill the victim, according to sheriff's office statements reported by the outlet. The Newport Dispatch reports that deputies interviewed all parties involved at the scene before making the arrest.
Two Misdemeanor Charges Filed
Bell was charged with Menacing in the Second Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, both misdemeanors, per the Newport Dispatch's reporting. Second-degree menacing is a Class A misdemeanor, according to a statute summary from WomensLaw.org.
Following his arrest, Bell was transported to the Public Safety Building for processing, the same account notes. From there he was brought to the Cayuga County Jail for a centralized arraignment before being released on his own recognizance. That arraignment process reflects a system for off-hours initial hearings for felony suspects arrested by municipal or state police before a designated magistrate, according to prior Hoodline reporting.
Next Court Date Set for Oct. 12
Bell is scheduled to appear in Weedsport Village Court on Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. The court holds its regular sessions on Monday evenings at 8892 South Street in Weedsport, according to the New York State Unified Court System.
The case lands amid a leadership transition at the sheriff's office. Sheriff Brian Schenck, whose agency investigated the Weedsport incident, announced in November 2025 that he will retire at the end of December 2026 after nearly 30 years in law enforcement, Finger Lakes Daily News has reported.
It remains unclear what relationship, if any, existed between Bell and the alleged victim at the Rodeway Inn and Suites, or whether an order of protection was issued at arraignment.
