REPORT: State Police child exploitation operation results in felony charges against ten North Country residents
In September 2022, Investigators from the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force/Computer Crime Unit, Department of the Army Criminal Investigative Division, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted an operation targeting those attempting to exploit children online.
As a result of the operation, ten individuals were arrested as part of the multi-day operation and subsequently prosecuted by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and/or the Army JAG Corps.
New York State Police arrested the following individuals for Attempted Rape 2nd degree, class “D’ felony:
- Travis R. Petrey, age 35 from Barbourville, KY
- Rene L. St. Pierre, age 54 from Ogdensburg, NY
- Michael J. Steria, age 49 from Carthage, NY
- Brian T. LaPlatney, age 29 from Harrisville, NY
- John W. Brown, age 47 from Chaumont, NY
- Aimin Jiang, age 34 from Watertown, NY
- David L. Eads, age 51 Brownville, NY
Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division: Cases handled by CID and JAG due to the suspects being active-duty soldiers:
- Jonas Santaella; Charged with Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child and Attempted Pandering.
- Devir Walker; Charged with Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child.
- Aaron Alonzo Vazquez; Charged with Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child and Pandering.
In the past, operations such as this have led to the discovery of additional victims at the hands of these offenders.
If you or anyone you know is a victim of online enticement, please contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Cyber tip line (877) 474-KIDS, the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, or The New York State Police Computer Crime Unit in your area.
Visit State Police's Internet Crimes Against Children webpage.
Images via the New York State Police.
