HORNELL, NY — A 33-year-old man has been arrested following an extensive child exploitation investigation by New York State Police.
Eugene Wade Hale, of Hornell, was taken into custody on Oct. 30 after an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at SP Hornell, the Troop E Computer Crimes Unit and the Troop E Forensic Investigation Unit.
The investigation began with a referral from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
On May 22, investigators executed a search warrant on East Avenue in Hornell.
Prior to execution of the warrant, Hale was observed leaving the residence and was detained without incident.
Multiple electronic devices were recovered during the search and submitted to the Troop E Computer Crimes Unit for forensic analysis.
Forensic review identified contraband images on Hale’s electronic devices, according to state police.
Hale was processed at SP Hornell and transported to the Steuben County Jail for CAP arraignment.
