Putnam County Man Arrested After Child Exploitation Investigation: Sheriff

PATTERSON, NY — A tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has led to the arrest of a Hudson Valley man,

Putnam County Sheriff Brian Hess says that 22-year-old Mario R. Leiva, of Patterson, after an investigation into the sharing of child sexual abuse material conducted by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

On May 7, the sheriff's office received the CyberTipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about the online distribution of suspected child sexual abuse material through Snapchat. Investigators identified Leiva as the suspect.

On June 7, around 8 p.m., Leiva was taken into custody in the Town of Patterson without incident.

Investigators then executed a search warrant at his home and seized several electronic devices.

Leiva was charged with felony promoting a sexual performance by a child less than 17; and two felony counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child.

He was arraigned in the Town of Patterson Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office thanked Homeland Security Investigations – New York's Hudson Valley Office, and the Putnam County District Attorney's Office for their help during this investigation.