KINGSTON — The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Kingston announced the arrest of Russell Merrihew, age 40, of Cairo, following an investigation into unlawful sexual conduct involving a minor.
Merrihew has been charged with six counts of rape in the second degree, classified as a class D felony, for alleged vaginal sexual contact with a person younger than 15 years old.
He also faces two counts of endangering the welfare of a child less than 17, a class A misdemeanor, and one count of disseminating indecent material to minors in the second degree via computer communication, a class E felony.
The investigation into Merrihew’s conduct began on Aug. 31 after authorities received a formal complaint.
State Police said Merrihew was processed at the Kingston barracks without incident and transported to the Ulster County Jail Central Arraignment Part.
Merrihew is scheduled for arraignment on Sept. 2 at 6:00 a.m.
