State police arrested a man after investigators uncovered sexually explicit online interactions involving a minor, following a child exploitation investigation that began with a complaint last month.
Troopers took a 27-year-old Trumansburg man into custody after an investigation found he used social media platforms to communicate with a juvenile and engage in sexually explicit video and audio interactions.
State police identified the suspect as Franklin M. Zanker, 27, of Trumansburg. Investigators say the case began in December, when State Police in Montour Falls received a report of inappropriate online communications between an adult male and a juvenile female.
The investigation was taken over by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation and included a forensic interview at the Chemung County Child Advocacy Center. Police say evidence showed Zanker knowingly engaged in and disseminated indecent material to a minor.
On Jan. 15, troopers, working with the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant at a home on Voorheis Road in the town of Hector. Police took Zanker into custody without incident and transported him to State Police Montour Falls for processing.
Zanker was charged with disseminating indecent material to minors in the first degree, a D felony. He was arraigned in Schuyler County CAP Court and remanded to the Schuyler County Jail. Police requested an order of protection on behalf of the juvenile victim.
State police ask anyone who may have had contact with Zanker or who has information related to the investigation to call 585-398-4100 or email [email protected]. Tips can be provided anonymously.
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