Long Island Online Child-Exploitation Operation Leads to Arrests
State Police say undercover investigators used advanced cyber techniques to identify two men allegedly seeking illegal meetings with minors.
A Long Island child-exploitation operation resulted in the arrests of two men after undercover investigators posed online as minors, according to the New York State Police. Authorities said the multiday operation targeted people allegedly using online platforms to arrange in-person meetings for illegal sexual activity.
The arrests were announced Monday, July 20, by the State Police Troop L Computer Crime Unit. The operation also involved members of the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Police identified the defendants as 24-year-old Edwin Antonio Sabillon Jr. of West Babylon and 36-year-old Anik Conley-Das of Norwood, Massachusetts. Both men face attempted rape and other charges, according to the official release.
The accusations have not been proven in court. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty.
Long Island Online Child-Exploitation Operation Leads to Arrests
State Police say undercover investigators used advanced cyber techniques to identify two men allegedly seeking illegal meetings with minors.
A Long Island child-exploitation operation resulted in the arrests of two men after undercover investigators posed online as minors, according to the New York State Police. Authorities said the multiday operation targeted people allegedly using online platforms to arrange in-person meetings for illegal sexual activity.
The arrests were announced Monday, July 20, by the State Police Troop L Computer Crime Unit. The operation also involved members of the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Police identified the defendants as 24-year-old Edwin Antonio Sabillon Jr. of West Babylon and 36-year-old Anik Conley-Das of Norwood, Massachusetts. Both men face attempted rape and other charges, according to the official release.
The accusations have not been proven in court. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty.
Undercover investigators posed as minors online
State Police said investigators used undercover identities and what the agency described as “advanced cyber investigative techniques.”
According to police, investigators communicated with people who allegedly believed they were speaking with minors. The investigation focused on individuals suspected of trying to arrange face-to-face meetings for illegal sexual activity.
“The proactive investigation utilized undercover investigators and advanced cyber investigative techniques,” State Police said in announcing the arrests.
Police did not identify the online platforms used during the investigation. They also did not disclose the locations where the arrests occurred, the ages investigators claimed to be or whether additional suspects remain under investigation.
Because those details were not included in the official statement, they cannot be independently verified at this time.
What charges were filed?
Edwin Antonio Sabillon Jr.
Sabillon, 24, of West Babylon, was charged with:
- Attempted second-degree rape
- Attempted endangering the welfare of a child
- Attempted first-degree dissemination of indecent material to a minor
State Police said Sabillon was arraigned at 9 a.m. Friday, July 17, in Suffolk County First District Court.
Anik Conley-Das
Conley-Das, 36, of Norwood, Massachusetts, was charged with:
- Attempted second-degree rape
- Attempted endangering the welfare of a child
- Attempted first-degree dissemination of indecent material to a minor
State Police said Conley-Das was arraigned at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 18, in Suffolk County First District Court.
The State Police announcement did not provide information about bail, release conditions, defense attorneys or future court appearances. Those details could not be independently confirmed.
Sabillon, 24, of West Babylon, was charged with:
- Attempted second-degree rape
- Attempted endangering the welfare of a child
- Attempted first-degree dissemination of indecent material to a minor
State Police said Sabillon was arraigned at 9 a.m. Friday, July 17, in Suffolk County First District Court.
Anik Conley-Das
Conley-Das, 36, of Norwood, Massachusetts, was charged with:
- Attempted second-degree rape
- Attempted endangering the welfare of a child
- Attempted first-degree dissemination of indecent material to a minor
State Police said Conley-Das was arraigned at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 18, in Suffolk County First District Court.
The State Police announcement did not provide information about bail, release conditions, defense attorneys or future court appearances. Those details could not be independently confirmed.
What is an Internet Crimes Against Children operation?
An Internet Crimes Against Children operation is a law-enforcement investigation focused on suspected crimes involving the online exploitation of minors. Such investigations may include undercover communications, digital evidence reviews and cooperation among local, state and federal agencies.
The national Internet Crimes Against Children program is a network of task forces that brings together law-enforcement officers and prosecutors to investigate technology-related crimes involving children. The U.S. Justice Department has described the network as including federal, state and local agencies.
These investigations may focus on conduct such as:
- Alleged online enticement of minors
- Attempts to arrange illegal sexual meetings
- Distribution or possession of child sexual abuse material
- Sexual exploitation conducted through social media or messaging services
- Threats, coercion or requests for explicit images
The precise charges in each case depend on the alleged conduct and the evidence collected.
Police ask possible victims to come forward
State Police are asking anyone with information about either defendant to contact investigators.
That request includes people who believe they may have been victimized, as well as parents, guardians or others who believe they know a potential victim.
Information can be reported to the New York State Police Troop L Headquarters at 631-756-3300.
“The New York State Police remain committed to identifying individuals who exploit children online, protecting vulnerable victims and holding offenders accountable,” the agency said.
Anyone reporting information should preserve relevant messages, usernames, photographs, dates and account details when it is safe to do so. People should not confront a suspected offender or conduct their own investigation.
Online grooming can begin with ordinary conversation
Online exploitation does not always begin with an obvious threat or an explicit request. In many cases, concerning contact can start as a friendly conversation, a gaming interaction or a message from someone claiming to share the child’s interests.
Warning signs may include an online contact who:
- Asks a child to keep conversations secret
- Quickly moves a conversation to a private messaging app
- Requests photographs or personal information
- Offers money, gifts, gaming credits or favors
- Pressures a child to meet in person
- Claims to be younger than they appear
- Becomes threatening after receiving a photograph
- Tries to isolate the child from parents or trusted adults
One warning sign alone does not prove that a crime is occurring. However, a pattern of secrecy, pressure and sexualized communication should be taken seriously.
Steps families can take to improve online safety
Parents and caregivers cannot monitor every message a young person receives. Open communication may be more effective than relying only on restrictions.
Families can take several practical steps:
- Discuss online boundaries early. Children should understand that people online may lie about their identity, age or intentions.
- Keep communication open. A child may hide a troubling exchange if they fear losing access to a phone or being punished.
- Review privacy settings. Limit who can send messages, view posts or obtain location information.
- Disable unnecessary location sharing. Photographs, social-media posts and apps may reveal where a child lives, attends school or spends time.
- Save possible evidence. Preserve usernames, messages and account links rather than immediately deleting everything.
- Report urgent threats. Call 911 when a child is in immediate danger.
The Justice Department directs reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline. Reports can also be made to the FBI.
Arrests are the beginning of the court process
Police announcements often describe the evidence from the investigators’ point of view. They are not findings of guilt.
Prosecutors must still establish that each defendant committed the charged offenses. Defense attorneys may challenge the evidence, the defendants’ alleged intentions, the handling of electronic communications or the procedures used during the investigation.
That distinction matters, particularly in cases involving disturbing accusations. Responsible coverage must report the allegations clearly while also respecting the constitutional right to due process.
The State Police release did not include court documents, recorded communications or statements from prosecutors or defense attorneys. As a result, the full evidence supporting the charges cannot yet be evaluated independently.
Community awareness remains an important defense
This Long Island child-exploitation operation highlights the challenges law enforcement and families face as young people spend more time on social media, gaming networks and private messaging platforms.
Technology can help children learn and remain connected. It can also give strangers direct access to young users, sometimes without a parent or teacher realizing that contact has begun.
Parents should not assume that online exploitation happens only through unfamiliar websites. Conversations may begin on widely used social networks, games and messaging apps.
The most important response is not panic. It is preparation.
Children should know that they can report uncomfortable messages without being blamed. Adults should know how to preserve evidence and contact the proper authorities. Technology companies must also continue improving systems that identify and report suspected exploitation.
The two defendants now face the court process in Suffolk County. Anyone with potentially relevant information is encouraged to contact State Police rather than attempt to investigate the matter independently.
