Crime & Safety

Rye Brook Man Arraigned on Child Porn Charges

District Attorney's Office began undercover sting after spotting a Craigslist ad by Pace University official for a "nubile girl next door."

A child pornography sting by the Westchester County District Attorney's Office has led to the arrest of a Rye Brook man who is an official at Pace University. 

A probe of David G. Watson, 62,  of 20 Hillandale Road, Rye Brook, began after he posted personal ads seeking a "nubile girl next door" on Craigslist and then began having Internet conversations with an undercover investigator, according to the DA's Office.

Watson is the director of cultural affairs at Pace University, which has campuses in White Plains, Pleasantville and Manhattan. 

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Watson on Friday suggested a meeting at the Elmsford Motel on Tarrytown Road to look at photographs. He arrived for the date on Tuesday with "various images of minor children in sexually suggestive poses," according to a statement by the DA's Office.

He was taken into custody and search warrants were obtained and executed at his home, vehicle and a storage locker, where investigators said they found photos and videos containing obscene performances by children.

Christopher Corey, the executive director of public information for Pace University, issued this statement: "The Pace community learned this morning that David G. Watson, the University's Director of Cultural Events has been arraigned by the Westchester County District Attorney on two felony counts involving child pornography.

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"Mr. Watson has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the legal proceedings."

Watson was arraigned in Elmsford Village Court this morning on one count of promoting a sexual performance by a child, a class "D" felony, and one count of possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child, a class "E" felony. Bail was set at $10,000 bond or $5,000 cash.

His next court date has been set for Dec. 8.

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