A Cayuga County man was arrested this week following a months-long child pornography investigation that began with a CyberTip report submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to the New York State Police.
State police said 71-year-old Charles O. Cator of Auburn surrendered Tuesday to investigators at SP Auburn and was charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child, a Class D felony.
Investigators said the case began July 1, 2025, after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTipline report involving the upload and sharing of suspected child sexual abuse material through a social media platform.
The investigation was assigned to the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Auburn.
According to investigators, forensic analysis and subpoena records tied an online account used to upload and forward a video depicting the sexual exploitation of a prepubescent child to Cator.
State police said members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Computer Crimes Unit and Forensic Identification Unit executed a search warrant Oct. 14, 2025, at Cator’s residence in the Town of Fleming, where electronic devices were seized for further analysis.
Authorities said the investigation ultimately identified Cator as the individual responsible for the account and associated electronic devices.
Following his surrender Tuesday, Cator was processed at SP Auburn and transported to the Cayuga County Jail for CAP arraignment.
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