ROME — New York State Police arrested Russell J. Kirk, 39, of Rome, on Aug. 21 on charges including promoting a sexual performance by a child and criminal possession of a weapon.
Kirk faces one count of promoting a sexual performance by a child, a Class D felony, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, also Class D felonies.
The charges stem from an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force search warrant related to the transmission of child sexual exploitation material via the internet.
During the search of Kirk’s residence, investigators located an illegally possessed firearm and ammunition feeding devices.
The arrest resulted from a joint investigation by members of the State Police Computer Crime Unit – Troop D, the Troop D Bureau of Criminal Investigation – Marcy, the NYSP ICAC Unit in Albany, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.
Kirk was arraigned in Rome City Court and remanded to the Oneida County Jail with bail set at $50,000 cash or $100,000 bond.
He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 22 at 9 a.m.
