Hyde Park Man Charged with Sexually Abusing Children
On February 5, 2025, New York State Police in Poughkeepsie arrested Tyler G. Leclerc, age 28, of Hyde Park, NY for Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a Class E Felony and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A Misdemeanor.
On January 31, 2025 the Bureau of Criminal Investigation assigned to SP Poughkeepsie received a report of sexual abuse of a child. This investigation uncovered evidence that Leclerc had sexually abused multiple children over the course of several years. This case was worked in conjunction with the Troop K- Computer Crimes Unit, Troop K- Forensic Investigation Unit, Troop K-Community Stabilization Unit and the Dutchess County Child Advocacy Center.
Leclerc was arraigned in the Town of East Fishkill Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Jail in lieu of $200,000 cash / $400,000 bond / $2,000,000 partially secured bond.
This case remains an active investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the New York State Police at (845) 677-7300. Please refer to SP Poughkeepsie BCI case # 2500085617.
State Police arrest Milton man for child pornography possession
On February 6, 2025, State Police of Saratoga, with the assistance of the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security arrested Alexander L. Floud, 23, of Milton, NY, for Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class “D” felony, and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class “E” felony.
Floud is accused of promoting and possessing images consistent with child sexual exploitation. His arrest followed an investigation and the execution of a search warrant at his residence in Milton, NY, on February 6, 2025. The investigation stemmed from a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
Floud was arrested at his home and transported to SP Saratoga for processing. He was then arraigned at the Milton Town Court, where he was remanded to the Saratoga County Correctional Facility in lieu of a $10,000 cash, $50,000 bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond.
State Police Investigate Personal Injury Accident in Pamelia
On February 6, 2025, at about 1:33 p.m., New York State Police in Watertown responded to Interstate 81 North in the town of Pamelia for a personal injury accident.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Ahmed Azzam, age 55, from Ohio, was driving a 2024 Kia north on Interstate 81 in the town of Pamelia when he went too fast for the road conditions, exited the east shoulder, and overturned, coming to a rest before the woods.
The back passenger, Meryem Azzam, age 25, from Ohio, was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle’s sunroof. She was transported to Samaritan Medical Center with serious injuries.
The driver, Ahmed Azzam and front passenger, Asmaa E. Maaroufi, age 32, from Ohio, were both transported to Samaritan Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is continuing.
Governor Hochul and State Police announce 176 new Troopers join the ranks of the New York State Police
Governor Kathy Hochul joined Superintendent Steven G. James in honoring 176 new State Troopers as they graduated today from the 216th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. Today’s graduation increases the State Police ranks to 5,034 sworn members.
“I commend these 176 men and women for dedicating themselves to public service, and their commitment to protecting the people of New York State,” said Governor Hochul. “The members of the New York State Police put their lives on the line each day to keep the rest of us safe – in a world where their mission has grown more challenging and complex. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I want to thank the graduates for their hard work and perseverance – and welcome them to the long gray line.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Today’s graduation is the culmination of six months of difficult classwork, physical training, and sacrifice, and we now welcome our newest members to one of the most prestigious and well-respected law enforcement agencies in the nation. I am confident they are equipped to carry out our mission to serve our communities with the same professionalism and pride the State Police have exhibited for the past 107 years.”
In addition to honoring all graduates from the 216th Session of Basic School,
Superintendent James presented the following awards:
Academic Achievement Award
As a special incentive for all students attending the State Police Academy Basic School, the Superintendent sponsors the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of academic performance during Academy training.
The recipient of the Academic Performance Award is Clayton D. Buff, age 24, who resides in Cohoes, New York. He attended the University at Albany where he studied Criminal Justice. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he served 4 years of active duty with the United States Army. Throughout the Academy training program, he achieved an outstanding overall academic average of 96.58%. He will be assigned to Troop G.
Firearms Proficiency Award
The New York State Trooper Foundation has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of performance in all phases of firearms training.
The recipient of the Superintendent’s Firearms Proficiency Award is Hunter T. Argetsinger, age 24, who resides in Elmira, New York. He is a graduate of Corning Community College where he received an associate’s degree in criminal justice. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a police officer with the city of Elmira Police Department. During firearms training, he achieved an average score of 250 out of a possible 250. He will be assigned to Troop E.
Investigator Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award
The New York State Police Investigators Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest degree of physical fitness during the Physical Training Program at the Academy. This award will be presented in memory of deceased Investigator Joseph Aversa. Investigator Aversa made the ultimate sacrifice in New York City on March 5, 1990, during a narcotics investigation while serving as a member of the Joint Drug Enforcement Task Force. Investigator Aversa was a six-year State Police veteran who believed that physical conditioning was an integral part of being a Trooper.
The recipient of the Joseph T. Aversa Physical Training Award is Oliver P. Valenti, age 21, who resides in Clarence, New York. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he attended Hilbert College where he studied Forensic Science while employed with Wegmans Marketplace as a front-end coordinator. During the physical agility testing, he achieved the highest score of all 176 Members of the 216th Session, a tribute to his superb physical conditioning. He will be assigned to Troop A.
Student Representative
The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm to the member of the class who is selected by his or her peers to represent them during these exercises. The PBA presents the award in memory of Trooper John J. McKenna IV, who was killed in action in 2006, while serving his country as a Marine in Iraq.
The recipient of the Class Representative Award is Antonio M. Vecchio, age 21, who resides in Levittown, New York. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he attended Binghamton University where he studied Economics. He will be assigned to Troop C.
The new Troopers will report for field duty on February 7 or February 10, depending on their platoon. For the following 10 weeks, the new Troopers will be evaluated under a field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers.
Below is a complete list of graduates listed alphabetically (Troop assignments are pending):
State Police arrest man following multiple Albany business burglaries
On January 23, 2025, State Police of the Capital arrested Julio Jimenez, 48, of Schenectady, NY, for Burglary in the third degree, Criminal Mischief in the third degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the fourth degree, and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the fifth degree.
On January 24, 2025, Jimenez was also processed for Burglary in the third degree and Criminal Mischief in the third degree.
On January 21, 2025, at about 9:45 a.m. Troopers received a complaint of a past Burglary. The investigation determined Jimenez allegedly entered a closed business on Swan Street in Albany, NY, the previous afternoon. He reportedly damaged the cash register, took money out of it, and then left the location on foot.
On January 23, 2025, at about 10:56 p.m., Troopers responded to the reports of a burglary in progress at a closed business located in the Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY. Troopers located Jimenez in an area that was closed to the public. The investigation determined Jimenez had forcibly entered the area and caused damage to a cash register belonging to the business. When he was taken into custody, he was found to possess stolen items.
Jimenez was transported to SP Capital, where he was processed. He was then turned over to the Albany County Correctional Facility to await arraignment. On January 24, 2025, Jimenez was also processed at SP Capital on charges for the incident on January 21, 2025. He was arraigned on all charges and remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.
State Police arrest two for felony drug possession following Fort Edward traffic stop
On February 5, 2025, State Police of Greenwich, with the assistance of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Christopher M. Foster, 53, of Argyle, NY, for two counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance on the third degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the fifth degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the fourth degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degree and a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation.
Shemariah S. Carlisle, 47, of Argyle, NY, was also arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the fifth degree, Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the seventh degree, and a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation.
On February 5, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m., Troopers stopped a vehicle on County Route 46 in Fort Edward, NY, for a Vehicle and Traffic Law violation. The driver was identified as Foster, and the passenger as Carlisle. Troopers observed a glass smoking device containing drug residue in plain sight. Further investigation discovered Foster was in possession of felony-weight narcotics and an illegal collapsible baton. In addition, Carlisle was found to possess felony-weight narcotics, a glass smoking device containing drug residue, and an open bottle of alcohol.
Both were arrested and transported to SP Greenwich for processing. They were then turned over to the Washington County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.
