A 19-year-old Elmira man is facing felony charges after a cyber tip prompted a child exploitation investigation in Chemung County, authorities announced.
Hayden D. Denkenberger was arrested following a yearlong probe led by the New York State Police in Horseheads, with support from Troop E’s Computer Crimes Unit and Forensic Investigation Unit. The investigation began after the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children submitted a Cyber Tipline report on April 11, 2024, alleging possession of child abuse material.
On May 3, 2024, troopers executed a search warrant on Pennsylvania Avenue in the town of Southport, where they seized multiple electronic devices for forensic analysis. Investigators later confirmed the presence of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on a device in Denkenberger’s possession.
Denkenberger was arrested on April 25 and charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child, a D felony, and possessing a sexual performance by a child, an E felony. He was arraigned in the Town of Horseheads Court and remanded to the Chemung County Jail on $10,000 bail or a $20,000 bond.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].