WEEDSPORT, NY — A 68-year-old man has been charged with possession of child sexual abuse material following a months-long investigation by the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI.
Frederick E. Petrie, of Weedsport, turned himself in to detectives on April 23 and was charged with possession of a sexual performance of a child, an E felony.
The investigation began in January when the FBI notified sheriff’s detectives of a tip regarding an individual in the Village of Weedsport using the internet to communicate and receive child sexual abuse material.
Working with the FBI, detectives identified Petrie as the suspect.
In March, investigators executed a search warrant at Petrie’s residence and seized his electronic devices.
A search of the devices recovered files containing child sexual abuse material, according to Sheriff Brian Schenck.
Petrie was released on an appearance ticket returnable to the Village of Weedsport Court on May 4 at 7 p.m.
