Sting Operation Nets 8 For Child Abuse

KINGSTON, NY — An undercover sting operation in Ulster County netted eight individuals on child abuse charges. Sheriff Paul J. VanBlarcum said the arrests were the result of a child predator identification and enforcement operation by members of the Ulster County Sheriff's Office, the FBI Child Exploitation task Force the Town of Ulster Police Department, the Ulster Regional Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team and the New York State Police.

In early September, detectives, special agents and investigators conducted the undercover sting in the Town of Ulster.

VanBlarcum said the people who were arrested solicited an arrangement to have sex with minor children and then met undercover police officers to engage in sex with a child.

The following persons were arrested and charged:

• Eric S. Decker, 42, Kingston: second-degree attempted criminal sexual act and first-degree attempted disseminating indecent material to minors, felonies
• Michael A. Sweeny, 51, Kingston: second-degree attempted criminal sexual act, a felony
• Ian D. Troxell, 38, Woodstock: second-degree attempted criminal sexual act, a felony
• Michael J. Minnerly, 19, Clinton Corners: second-degree attempted rape, a felony
• Travis M. Sammeth, 34, Newburgh: second-degree attempted criminal sexual act, a felony
• Elroy M. Gould III, 46, Unionville: second-degree attempted rape and second-degree attempted criminal sexual act, felonies, and second-degree attempted patronizing a prostitute
• Joseph K. Simon, 36, Kingston: second-degree attempted criminal sexual act, a felony
• Dana J. Tompkins, 59, Rhinebeck: second-degree attempted rape, a felony

All eight individuals were arraigned in the towns of Ulster and Hurley justice courts and sent to the Ulster County Jail.

Image via Shutterstock.