AUBURN, NY — New York State Police in SP Auburn arrested Charles O. Cator, 71, of Auburn following an investigation into the possession and dissemination of child pornography.
The investigation began July 1 after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTipline report regarding the upload and sharing of suspected child sexual abuse material through a social media platform.
The investigation was assigned to the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Auburn.
Investigators said an account associated with Cator uploaded and forwarded a video depicting the sexual exploitation of a prepubescent child.
Through subpoenas, search warrants and forensic investigation, investigators identified Cator as the individual responsible for the account and associated devices, police said.
On Oct. 14, members of the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Computer Crimes Unit and Forensic Identification Unit executed a search warrant at Cator’s residence in the town of Fleming, where electronic devices were seized for analysis.
On May 12, 2026, Cator surrendered to State Police at SP Auburn and was arrested on a charge of promoting a sexual performance by a child, a D felony.
Cator was processed at SP Auburn and transported to Cayuga County Jail for CAP arraignment.
