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Arrests made in case of corrections officer injured in explosion

Oneida County Sheriff's Office
Keith Seppi allegedly left the package that exploded at the Oneida County home of a corrections officer.
Credit Oneida County Sheriff's Office
Donna Seppi

An explosion that injured a state corrections officer at his home in Oneida County a week and a half ago had nothing to do with his job. But three people from Ohio have been arrested, in a case that involves the victim’s mother and suspected theft.

An Ohio woman, her sister and brother-in-law are facing first degree assault charges after allegedly conspiring to plant a bomb at the home of a corrections officer in the town of Floyd. Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol says Alan Dobransky, an officer at the Marcy Correctional Facility, believed 56-year old Cindy Shields, who was the caretaker for his elderly mother in Conneaut Ohio, had been stealing from her.

Credit Oneida County Sheriff's Office
Cindy Shields

"Alan confronted Shields about the stolen money, and planned to make a report to the local law enforcement. It is then believed that Keith [Seppi], along with his wife Donna, and Cindy Shields conspired to plant the bomb at Alan’s mailbox,” said Maciol.

Maciol say Keith Seppi allegedly left a package at Dobransky’s mailbox May 29, and it exploded, injuring Dobransky. He remains in critical condition at Upstate University Hospital with burns over 50 percent of his body.

Local authorities, state police, the FBI and AFT all worked together on this case, initially concerned it had something to do with Dobransky’s job as a corrections officer. More charges could be pending against the three suspects, which also include Seppi’s wife Donna Seppi.

Ellen produces news reports and features related to events that occur in the greater Syracuse area and throughout Onondaga County. Her reports are heard regularly in regional updates in Morning Edition and All Things Considered.