A former Seneca County corrections officer faces felony charges following a months-long child exploitation investigation, according to New York State Police.
State police arrested a 32-year-old Waterloo man on Dec. 23 after a referral from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children led investigators to examine alleged online child exploitation. Police said the case was adopted in September by the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Police identified the suspect as Robert “Tyler” Williams, a former corrections officer with the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators executed court-authorized search warrants, seized electronic devices, and conducted forensic analysis before making the arrest.
Williams is charged with criminal possession of a sexual performance of a child and criminal possession of a firearm. He remains held at the Seneca County Jail while awaiting arraignment in CAP Court. State police said the investigation remains ongoing.
Sheriff Thompson responds to allegations
Seneca County Sheriff Timothy Thompson said he was “shocked and deeply disturbed” by the allegations involving the former correction sergeant.
“This alleged conduct is in no way reflective of the values or standards of this organization,” Thompson said in a public statement released to the community.
Thompson confirmed the former sergeant is no longer employed by the Sheriff’s Office and said an outside agency is handling the investigation to ensure transparency and impartiality. He said the Sheriff’s Office is assisting investigators and will continue to cooperate fully.
Changes to hiring practices underway
Thompson also addressed steps the department has taken to strengthen hiring and screening practices.
“Since taking office on January 1, 2024, I am proud to report that we have made significant improvements to the background investigation process and will continue to do so,” he said.
Those changes include job-specific psychological examinations, polygraph examinations, and panel interviews, according to the sheriff.
“As your Sheriff, I will continue to work tirelessly to protect and serve with integrity and professionalism,” Thompson said. “I stand united with this community and members of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office in condemning this alleged behavior.”
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