An Ithaca man was arrested Tuesday after police say he was caught engaging in sexual acts with a juvenile near a downtown parking garage.
Zachariah D. Waite, 31, faces three misdemeanor charges: second-degree sexual abuse, endangering the welfare of a child, and public lewdness.
Officers responded around 4 p.m. to the Seneca Street Parking Garage after someone reported the incident. They located Waite nearby and took him into custody without incident, according to the Ithaca Police Department.
Police said the victim is 13 years old. Waite was arraigned in Ithaca City Court and taken to the Tompkins County Jail.
The investigation is ongoing. Police are urging anyone who had suspicious contact with Waite—or believes they may be a victim—to come forward.
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 news@fingerlakes1.com.