AUBURN, NY — A 45-year-old man was arrested Thursday following an investigation into multiple reports of suspected child sexual exploitation material shared through an online messaging platform.
Derek R. Kerr, of Hannibal, was taken into custody during a traffic stop in the city of Auburn on Dec. 11.
The New York State Police began investigating after receiving several CyberTipline reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children between October 2024 and January.
The reports were referred to the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Auburn, with assistance from the Troop E Computer Crimes Unit.
A search warrant was executed at Kerr’s residence in the town of Ira in February.
An electronic device belonging to Kerr was seized and submitted for forensic examination.
Following completion of the forensic analysis, investigators determined the device contained images and videos depicting child sexual exploitation material.
Kerr was charged with attempted promote a sexual performance by a child less than 17 years of age, a class D felony, and possessing sexual performance by child less than 16 years of age, a class E felony.
He was transported to State Police Auburn for processing and subsequently arraigned at Cayuga County CAP Court.
