Liberty teacher arrested on child pornography charges

LIBERTY — A local math teacher was arrested Monday on multiple felony charges related to child pornography, according to New York State Police.

Christopher A. Dedonato, 26, of Liberty, faces seven counts of promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child less than 17 years of age, a class D felony, and one count of possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child less than 16 years of age, a class E felony.

Dedonato, who was employed by the Liberty School District in Sullivan County, is accused of possessing and promoting images consistent with child sexual exploitation.

The investigation began following a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which led to the execution of a search warrant at Dedonato’s residence on April 22.

The arrest resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the New York State Police Troop F Computer Crimes Unit, the Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Liberty, Troop F Violent Gang Narcotic Enforcement Team, Troop F Community Stabilization Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Dedonato was arraigned in Thompson Town Court and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail with bail set at $25,000 cash, $50,000 secured bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond.

He is scheduled to appear in Town of Liberty Court on May 7 at 2 p.m.