Sidney New York Incident Leads To Guilty Plea And Police Recognition

A Sidney man has pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment.

On March 19, 2026, according to a release from Delaware County District Attorney Shawn J. Smith, 46-year-old Arthur Cotten of Sidney, New York, pleaded guilty in Delaware County Court to Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a Class D Felony.

Cotten also pleaded guilty to Resisting Arrest, a Class A Misdemeanor. Before pleading guilty, he admitted that on July 19, 2025, he attempted to light himself on fire with gasoline. Cotton admitted he was standing in a small garage, where there was a propane tank in proximity to him and the gasoline.

Read More: Local Man Faces Charges After Fire In Abandoned JC Building

Sets Gasoline On Fire

According to the report, Sidney Police officers responded to a 911 call for a person who was reportedly acting violently and destroying property. Two officers located Cotten in the garage as he was pouring gasoline from a 5-gallon can and holding a cigarette lighter.

Cotton proceeded to ignite the gasoline, which burst into flames. The officers quickly extinguished the fire before any person or property could have been seriously harmed. After pleading guilty, Arthur Cotten's case was adjourned until April 28, 2026, for sentencing.

The two Sidney officers, Royce Terry and Jenna Nordberg, were later awarded a Police Medal Citation in recognition of their heroism.

I am very proud of the work done by these two police officers. Police Officers routinely rush into dangerous situations while others are running away. They put their own lives at risk to protect others. We appreciate all they do for our communities.- Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith

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