Man accused of attempted murder in Oneida County was not legally in the U.S., Sheriff’s Office says

MARCY- Henry Estuardo Castaneda, the man accused of choking, beating and leaving a victim for dead over the weekend in Oneida County, is here in the U.S. illegally, authorities are saying.

He was arraigned Monday on numerous charges, including attempted murder in the second-degree. His bail was set at $100,000 or $200,000 bond.

In an update released Thursday, deputies say Castaneda has been identified as a resident of Guatemala and is not legally here in the U.S. It’s reported that he has been working under an assumed identity upon arriving to our country, but is only believed to have been in Oneida County for about two-months.

Castaneda is accused of choking and beating a co-worker of his with an empty beer bottle. It’s alleged that Castaneda was upset with his associate.

The incident took place Sunday on Route 49, town of Marcy, where Castaneda choked his victim and then struck them numerous times over the head with an empty beer bottle.

Castaneda fled the scene, leaving the victim roadside in the grass. Fortunately, the victim only lost consciousness and eventually came to. Passing motorists alerted the police.

The male victim was treated for several head wounds at a Utica hospital. He since has been released. 

The Sheriff’s Office is also working with members of the U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement, who are investigating Castaneda’s assumed identity documents and immigration status.

Castaneda was driving an orange colored 2005 Honda Element with Texas license plates at the time of the incident. The incident would have occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2023 on the south shoulder of the eastbound lanes of Rt. 49,  just east of River Rd.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking that anyone that who may have seen the vehicle pulled over or believes they have any information, please contact (315) 765-2737.

Image via the Oneida County Sheriff's Office.