State police arrested a Cayuga County man following an extensive investigation tied to multiple national cyber tips.
Troopers arrested Derek R. Kerr, 45, after a months-long investigation that began with reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
According to state police, investigators received several CyberTipline reports between October and January involving suspected child sexual exploitation material shared through an online messaging platform. The reports were handled by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Auburn with help from the Troop E Computer Crimes Unit.
As part of the investigation, troopers executed a search warrant at Kerr’s residence in the town of Ira in February. Investigators seized an electronic device and submitted it for forensic analysis.
State police said the analysis determined the device contained images and videos depicting child sexual exploitation material.
Troopers took Kerr into custody during a traffic stop in the city of Auburn on Dec. 11. He faces felony charges of attempted promotion of a sexual performance by a child less than 17 years old and possessing or accessing a sexual performance by a child less than 16 years old.
After his arrest, troopers transported Kerr to State Police Auburn for processing. He was later arraigned in Cayuga County CAP Court.
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