BATH — New York State Police in Bath received a Cyber Tipline report from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children on May 3 regarding the possession of child abuse material.
An investigation determined Ralph E. Hicks, 54, of Bath, possessed files of child sexual abuse materials.
State Police seized multiple electronic devices on May 15 for forensic examination by the Troop E Computer Crimes Unit as part of an ongoing child exploitation case.
The CCU reported on May 22 that forensic analysis of Hicks’ HP laptop revealed roughly 1,500 images of confirmed child sexual abuse material.
Hicks was arrested without incident on May 23 and taken to Steuben County Jail for arraignment in CAP Court.
He faces charges of promoting a sexual performance by a child, a class D felony, and possessing a sexual performance by a child, a class E felony.
