KENT — The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 68-year-old Kent man on child sexual exploitation charges Aug. 14 following a multi-agency investigation into the online sharing and possession of child sexual abuse material.
Sheriff Kevin J. McConville said Lawrence Grella was taken into custody after investigators identified an Instagram account linked to him that was used to share illicit content.
The investigation began July 9 when the Sheriff’s Office received an Internet Crimes Against Children referral involving two National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline reports.
Working alongside Homeland Security Investigators, sheriff’s investigators executed search warrants and subpoenas for associated social media and internet service provider records, leading to the identification of Grella’s residence.
On Aug. 5, the Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from HSI, executed a search warrant at Grella’s home.
Multiple electronic devices were seized, and forensic reviews located illicit videos on Grella’s phone.
Grella voluntarily surrendered to authorities, accompanied by his attorney.
He was arraigned in the Town of Kent Court on two counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child and three counts of Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child, both felonies.
He was released on his own recognizance with probation check-ins three times weekly.
