New York investigators worked with Homeland Security teams in Massena and Hawaii
POTSDAM, NY — A child exploitation investigation stretching from northern New York to Hawaii led law enforcement officers to a Potsdam residence Thursday morning, where a search warrant ended with the arrest of Gabriel A. Vergara on two charges involving child sexual abuse material, according to New York State Police.
The New York State Police Troop B Computer Crime Unit conducted the investigation in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations offices in Massena and Honolulu, the Potsdam Police Department and the St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators executed a search warrant at Vergara’s Potsdam residence during the morning hours Thursday.
State Police said Vergara was subsequently charged with one count of promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child, charged as a sexually motivated felony, and one count of possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child.
Vergara was arraigned in Norfolk Town Court on behalf of Potsdam Town Court.
He was remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail following the arraignment, police said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
State Police said the continuing investigation also involves the St. Lawrence County District Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York.
No additional information about what prompted the investigation or what investigators allegedly recovered during the search was disclosed in the State Police announcement.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation, or who believes they may have been a victim of sexual abuse, can contact New York State Police at 518-897-2000.
The charges are accusations, and Vergara is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- A multi-agency child exploitation investigation led to a search of a Potsdam residence Thursday morning and the arrest of Gabriel A. Vergara.
- Vergara faces two charges involving child sexual abuse material, including one charged as a sexually motivated felony.
- The investigation involves New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigations offices in New York and Hawaii, local law enforcement and federal and county prosecutors.
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