Stolen dirtbike on Facebook leads police to seizure of dozens of weapons and drugs
HOMER, N.Y. — The New York State Police confiscated dozens of illegal weapons and drugs in an investigation that started with a stolen dirtbike in Cortland County.
In August 2024, the state police responded to a report of a burglary in which the dirtbike was stolen. Then, on Jan. 12, 2026, investigators found the dirt bike listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. The sale was listed by Clayton Carley, 26, of Homer, N.Y.
The police said they knew it was the stolen dirt bike due to the "numerous unique characteristics visible" in the post.
Troopers interviewed Clayton Carley at his home to find the bike. Police said he admitted that the dirtbike had been sold, but he was evasive, dismissive and not cooperative. He is also accused of giving investigators false information regarding the sale.
On Jan. 14, troopers executed a search warrant at Clayton Carley's home. Investigators found and recovered multiple weapons and drugs during their search. The recovered contraband is listed below:
- Three handguns
- Five assault weapons
- A loaded shotgun with a barrel length of less than 16 inches, classifying it as a firearm
- Multiple high-capacity ammunition feeding devices
- Approximately 18 pounds of cannabis flower
- Approximately 6 pounds of concentrated cannabis
- Approximately 5 ounces of psilocybin mushrooms
- More than 12 mature marijuana plants and over 50 immature marijuana plants
- Two daggers
- One baton
- Brass knuckles
- More than 40 rifles and shotguns
- U.S. currency in excess of $5,000
- A stolen 2024 motorcycle
Clayton Carley, as well as Jeffrey Carley, 60, of Homer, were charged in the investigation. They are facing the following charges:
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree (Loaded Firearm), a class “C” felony
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 5th Degree (Intent to Sell), a class “D” felony
- Criminal Possession of an Assault Weapon in the 3rd Degree, a class “D” felony
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree (Three or More Firearms), a class “D” felony
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree (Ammunition Feeding Device), a class “D” felony
- Three counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm, a class “E” felony
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 4th Degree (Property Value Exceeds $1,000), a class “E” felony
- Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree (Firearm/Weapon), a class “A” misdemeanor
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th Degree, a class “A” misdemeanor
They were process are taken to the Cortland County Jail for arraignment.
The New York State Police said the dirtbike was sold to a person in the Buffalo area. The buyer returned the vehicle to Troopers and fully cooperated with the investigation.
