FORT EDWARD, NY — A 25-year-old man has been arrested following an investigation into sexual abuse of a minor, according to Sheriff Jeffrey J. Murphy.
Anthony W. Bennett, of Fort Edward, was taken into custody after investigators discovered he was allegedly soliciting someone he believed to be a minor for sex and disseminating indecent material to that person.
Authorities say Bennett attempted to lure the person to meet him for a sexual encounter.
During the investigation, detectives also uncovered evidence of sexual contact between Bennett and a minor he was familiar with, according to the sheriff’s office.
Bennett was charged with attempted use of a child in a sexual performance, a class D felony; attempted disseminating indecent material to a minor, a class E felony; attempted luring of a child to commit a crime, a class A misdemeanor; and sexual abuse in the second degree, a class A misdemeanor.
He was arraigned at Washington County Centralized Arraignment and released on his own recognizance.
Bennett is scheduled to appear in Fort Edward Town Court at a later date.
Investigator J. Dalaba-Brockway, Investigator K. Paddock and Investigator C. Sullivan handled the case.
Washington County Child Protective Services assisted in the investigation.
