Litchfield Man Arrested on Sex Offense Charges

On January 29, 2025, State Police arrested Timothy J. Gagnon, age 18, from Litchfield, NY, for:

• Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (class “D” felony)
• Possession of Sexual Performance by a Child (class “E” felony)

The investigation was a result of an Internet Crimes Against Children Investigation in which Gagnon utilized the internet to distribute child exploitation material.

Gagnon was arraigned and remanded at Herkimer County Jail in lieu of $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond. 

The arrest was a result of a joint investigation by members of the Computer Crime Unit – Troop D, State Police in Herkimer, and Herkimer County Probation.

Child Car Seat Safety Check in Homer

New York State Police will be hosting a free child car seat check on Saturday, February 1, 2025 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the SP Homer barracks located at 1 Technology Place, Homer, NY (right across from the Homer High School).  

NYSP certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be able to assist with your child’s car seat installation and answer any questions you may have.  

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are the top killer of children ages 1 to 13. Statistically, 40% of children who should be in a child restraint are not, and 80% of child restraints are installed incorrectly.  NYSP Child Passenger Safety Technicians can help check if your car seat is installed properly, if there are any recalls or if your child is in the right car seat for their age and size.  

No appointments are necessary.  It is helpful to have the child that will sit in the car seat with you. 

UPDATED: Second Suspect in Custody Following Pursuit on the Berkshire Spur

UPDATE: On February 1, 2025, at about 5 a.m., Troopers along with State Police K9 “J” apprehended Torres after locating him inside a home he broke into on Bunker Hill Road in the town of Schodack.

Torres was transported to Albany Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries that occurred when he was apprehended by K9 “J.” 

Torres will be charged with criminal possession of stolen property (for the stolen vehicle from the original pursuit), and burglary.

The second suspect, Jorge Lucret, age 46, was apprehended by town of Schodack Police driving a vehicle he stole in Stephentown, NY, after fleeing Troopers on the Berkshire Spur. He is facing two counts of criminal possession of stolen property. 

Both men are also wanted by police in Quincy, Massachusetts, for an armed robbery at a convenience store that occurred on January 29, 2025.

 Updated narrative:

On January 31, 2025, at about 9:30 p.m., State Troopers patrolling New York State Thruway in the Albany area spotted a stolen vehicle driven by suspects wanted on armed robbery charges out of Quincy, Massachusetts. Earlier on the same date, the suspects had fled Troopers in Rochester, NY, and Cato, NY (Cayuga County), where they abandoned one vehicle and stole a second vehicle. At about 8:45 p.m., they again fled Troopers who attempted to stop them on the Thruway in Montgomery County.

After spotting the suspects at about 9:30 p.m., Troopers initiated a pursuit onto the Berkshire Spur, and were able to stop the vehicle with a tire deflation device. Both suspects ran from the vehicle into the woods.

LeRay Man Arrested on Sex Offense Charges

On February 1, 2025, State Police arrested Edwin A. Morones, age 22, from LeRay, NY, for:

•   (1) count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (class “C” felony)

•  (2) counts of  Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (class “D” felony)

The investigation was a result of an Internet Crimes Against Children Investigation in which Morones utilized the internet to distribute child exploitation material, including content he created.

Morones was arraigned at Jefferson County CAP Court and remanded to Jefferson County Jail on $2,500 cash bail, $5,000 bond or $10,000 partially secured bond.  Morones was issued a return court date of February 12, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Town of LeRay Court.

The arrest was a result of a joint investigation by members of the New York State Police Troop D Computer Crime Unit, State Police in Watertown, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Local teacher arrested for sex crimes against children

On January 31, 2025, the SP Clarence Bureau of Criminal Investigation and NYSP Computer Crimes Unit assisted a Police Department in Virginia with the arrest of arrested Geoffrey J. Testa, 45 of Amherst, NY on a warrant arrest for multiple Felony Child Exploitation charges out of Fairfax.
Testa was processed and taken to Erie County Holding Center on the arrest warrant awaiting extradition.
Testa is currently a teacher at Amherst Central School. The NYSP are working with the School administration with this incident. 
If anyone has information, contact the NYSP at 585-344-6200
The mission of the ICAC Task Force is to identify individuals online who are attempting to lure children to meet for sex or those disseminating child sexual abuse material. The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC program) helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and Internet crimes against children.