New York State Police arrested two people, Makayla S. Noyes, 33, of Lindley, and Scott J. Keetch, 51, of Pine City, after a traffic stop in Southport, Chemung County, at about 1:35 a.m. on October 6, 2026. Troopers stopped a 2016 Chevrolet on State Route 14 for vehicle and traffic law violations and found suspected methamphetamine, LSD, and drug paraphernalia inside. Both were charged with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and issued appearance tickets for Southport Town Court on November 5, 2026. This incident is part of the report titled ‘Two Arrested Following Traffic Stop in Southport: Full Details’.
What Happened During the Traffic Stop in Southport?
Two people were arrested after a routine traffic stop turned into a drug investigation on State Route 14 in Southport. According to the official NYSP Newsroom release, Troop E troopers based out of Canandaigua stopped a 2016 Chevrolet at about 1:35 a.m. on October 6, 2026, for violations of New York’s vehicle and traffic law.
What began as a standard enforcement stop became something more when troopers searched the vehicle during their investigation. The time matters here. Stops in the pre-dawn hours on rural routes like State Route 14 are common in Chemung County, and they often surface evidence that daytime patrols never encounter.
The details in this case come entirely from the State Police press release, published October 7, 2026, at 9:07 a.m. That release remains the most current authoritative public information on the incident as of this writing.
Why Were Two People Arrested in Southport?
Both the driver and the passenger were arrested because troopers located suspected controlled substances inside the vehicle during the stop. The official State Police announcement lists the seized items plainly: suspected methamphetamine, suspected LSD, and drug paraphernalia.
Under New York law, when police find controlled substances within a vehicle, they can charge occupants with possession even without proving who personally owned the drugs. That’s a point worth understanding, because it explains how both the driver and the passenger ended up facing identical charges.
Here’s the breakdown:
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The driver was also issued multiple vehicle and traffic law violations tied to the reason for the stop.
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The passenger faces the same possession charge as the driver.
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Neither was held in custody. Both were issued appearance tickets, which is standard for misdemeanor-level charges in New York.
Who Were the People Arrested in Southport?
The two individuals arrested were Makayla S. Noyes, 33, of Lindley, New York, and Scott J. Keetch, 51, of Pine City, New York. Both communities sit in the Southern Tier, not far from where the stop occurred.
A few things stand out. Noyes, as the driver, carries the additional traffic violations. Keetch, as the passenger, faces only the possession charge. Both were processed at SP Horseheads, the State Police station that handles much of the enforcement activity in that part of Chemung County.
It’s worth noting what this case does not include. There is no indication in the release of any prior records, outstanding warrants, or connection to other investigations. The press release is narrowly focused on what happened during the stop itself.
What Charges Are the Two Arrested Individuals Facing?
Both Noyes and Keetch were charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, which New York classifies as an A-misdemeanor. This is the least severe felony-free possession charge on the state’s books.
What does that mean in practice? A few key points:
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A-misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of up to 364 days in jail and up to three years of probation under New York Penal Law.
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The 7th-degree charge applies to simple possession of a controlled substance, without the weight thresholds or intent-to-sell elements that elevate charges to felonies.
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Because it’s a misdemeanor, both defendants were released on appearance tickets rather than held for arraignment.
The charge also reflects what police did and did not find. There’s no allegation of manufacturing or large-scale distribution in the release, just possession.
What Did Police Find During the Southport Traffic Stop?
Troopers located suspected methamphetamine, LSD, and drug paraphernalia inside the 2016 Chevrolet, according to the State Police press release. The word “suspected” matters. Field tests can indicate the presence of controlled substances, but formal confirmation typically comes later through laboratory analysis.
Drug paraphernalia is a separate category under New York Public Health Law. It covers items used to ingest, prepare, or store controlled substances, and it’s often charged alongside possession when those items are present in a vehicle.
The mix of substances is notable. Methamphetamine and LSD are rarely seen together in routine traffic-stop cases in this region, which suggests the investigation may have developed quickly once the initial stop was made.
When Did the Southport Traffic Stop Arrest Happen?
The stop occurred at approximately 1:35 a.m. on October 6, 2026, and the State Police published the arrest announcement the following morning, October 7, 2026, at 9:07 a.m. ET. The court date attached to the case is November 5, 2026, in Southport Town Court.
The sequence is typical for misdemeanor drug cases in New York:
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Traffic stop for a vehicle and traffic law violation.
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Investigation develops evidence during the stop.
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On-scene arrest and transport for processing.
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Appearance ticket issued with a return court date.
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Court appearance roughly a month later.
That month-long gap between arrest and first appearance is standard, and it gives defendants time to secure counsel before their first court date.
Where in Southport Did This Traffic Stop Occur?
The stop took place on State Route 14 in the town of Southport, in Chemung County, New York. State Route 14 runs north-south through the Southern Tier, connecting communities along the Chemung River corridor, and it’s a route that regional commuters and travelers pass through daily.
Southport sits just south of Elmira, near the Pennsylvania border. The route is also covered by regional travel and road information from the NYSDOT, which tracks conditions on state highways like Route 14.
Troop E, which handled this case, covers the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier region from its headquarters in Canandaigua, with the Horseheads station serving as the local processing point.
What Led Police to Make Arrests During This Traffic Stop?
Police made the arrests because the initial traffic violation gave them lawful grounds to stop the vehicle, and what they observed during that stop gave them grounds to investigate further. This is the chain of events courts examine in every traffic-stop drug case.
The legal framework here is well established:
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Police need reasonable suspicion of a violation to stop a vehicle.
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Anything an officer sees in plain view during a lawful stop can justify further investigation.
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Once probable cause develops, officers may search and arrest without a warrant.
The press release does not detail exactly what troopers observed first, only that the investigation led them to locate the substances. That gap is common in initial announcements, and the details usually surface in court filings.
Is This Related to Other Crimes in Southport?
There is no public indication that this case is connected to any other investigation in Southport or Chemung County. The State Police release describes a standalone traffic-stop arrest, and a review of available sources shows no additional official statements or court outcomes involving these defendants beyond the original announcement.
That said, drug possession cases arising from traffic stops sometimes expand. If laboratory analysis reveals quantities inconsistent with personal use, or if either defendant has pending matters in other jurisdictions, prosecutors can seek to modify charges. As of now, nothing public suggests that has happened here.
How Common Are Arrests From Traffic Stops?
Arrests from traffic stops are among the most common entry points into the criminal legal system in the United States. Millions of stops occur each year, and a significant share of drug possession cases nationally begin with a vehicle stop rather than a targeted investigation.
This reality cuts two ways, and it’s worth being honest about both:
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Proponents argue that traffic enforcement removes impaired drivers and illegal substances from the road before they cause harm.
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Critics, including civil liberties advocates, point to data showing stops can become pretexts for searches, and that enforcement often falls unevenly on certain communities.
New York has taken steps in recent years to reduce low-level drug enforcement, but possession charges from vehicle stops remain routine in the Southern Tier. For readers following broader questions about police accountability, our coverage of cases like the Tucson police shooting investigation and the arrest in the 2012 murder of a college student explores how these tensions play out.
What Are Your Rights During a Traffic Stop?
Every driver and passenger in New York has constitutional rights during a traffic stop, and knowing them can change the outcome of an encounter. The basics are straightforward.
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Stay calm and keep hands visible. Sudden movements escalate stops.
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You must provide license, registration, and insurance if you’re the driver. That’s the law.
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You may refuse consent to a search. Police may still search if they have probable cause or a warrant, but refusal is your right.
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Passengers can ask, “Am I free to go?” If the answer is yes, you may leave.
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You have the right to remain silent beyond identifying yourself. Anything you say can be used against you.
One common mistake: people volunteer information in an effort to seem cooperative, then discover their statements became the backbone of the case against them. Politely declining to answer questions is not an admission of guilt.
Can You Be Arrested During a Routine Traffic Stop?
Yes, and this case is proof. A stop that begins with something as ordinary as a traffic violation can end in an arrest if police develop probable cause during the encounter. The passenger in this case, Scott J. Keetch, was not driving and received no traffic tickets, yet he faces the same criminal charge as the driver.
The lesson for readers is simple. Traffic stops are legal, common, and unpredictable. The scope of what police may do expands with what they lawfully observe, and courts generally give officers wide latitude on the roadside.
Anyone facing charges from a traffic stop should speak with a defense attorney before their first court date. In Chemung County, the public defender’s office and private attorneys handle these matters regularly, and early legal advice matters more than almost anything else said on the roadside.
FAQ
Who was arrested in the Southport traffic stop?
Makayla S. Noyes, 33, of Lindley, New York, and Scott J. Keetch, 51, of Pine City, New York, were both arrested on October 6, 2026.
What charges do they face?
Both face Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 7th degree, an A-misdemeanor under New York law. Noyes also received multiple vehicle and traffic violations.
When did the stop happen?
At approximately 1:35 a.m. on October 6, 2026, on State Route 14 in Southport, Chemung County.
What did police find in the vehicle?
Troopers located suspected methamphetamine, LSD, and drug paraphernalia inside the 2016 Chevrolet.
Were they held in jail?
No. Both were processed at SP Horseheads and released on appearance tickets, which is standard for misdemeanor charges.
When do they appear in court?
Both are scheduled to appear in Southport Town Court on November 5, 2026.
Can a passenger be charged in a traffic stop?
Yes. If police find controlled substances in a vehicle, they can charge any occupant with possession, not just the driver.
Can you refuse a search during a traffic stop?
Yes. You may refuse consent to a search, though police may still search if they have probable cause, a warrant, or a recognized exception.
Conclusion
Two people now face misdemeanor drug charges in Chemung County because a traffic stop on a rural state route uncovered more than a broken headlight. The facts come from a single, authoritative source: the New York State Police press release. Until the November 5 court date, that’s the public record.
For readers in the Mohawk Valley and the Southern Tier, the takeaway is practical. Know your rights on the roadside, understand that stops can escalate quickly, and if you or someone you know faces similar charges, get legal counsel before the first court appearance. You can follow the case through local Horseheads news coverage or the NYSP Newsroom as it develops. And if this reporting helps you stay informed, share it with a neighbor. An engaged community is a safer one.
