Several local residents arrested in child exploitation sting

The New York State Police recently teamed up with the FBI to conduct an undercover online child exploitation detail in the town of Wallkill. According to the state police, the operation took place over several days and resulted in the identification and apprehension of multiple suspects allegedly engaged in “illegal activities related to child exploitation and trafficking.”

Specialized agents and investigators reportedly infiltrated online platforms known to provide and promote child exploitation. They then used what was described as “advanced cyber tactics” to identify local people who were allegedly attempting to exploit children through the internet and meet them in person.

As a result, seven people were arrested:

Rafael Rosas Martinez, 38, of Highland Mill was charged with attempted rape in the second degree and attempted endangering the welfare of a child. He was remanded on $2,000 cash/ $5,000 bond.

Omar Palma-Santos, 36, of Middletown was charged with attempted rape in the second degree and attempted endangering the welfare of a child. He was remanded on $5,000 cash/ $10,000 bond/ $50,000 partially secured bond.

Kervin Constant, 56, of Middletown was charged with attempted dissemination of indecent material to minors and attempted rape in the second degree. He was remanded on $1,000 cash/ $2,000 bond/ $3,000 partially secured bond.

Moises Ortega, 37, of New Windsor was charged with attempted rape in the second degree and attempted endangering the welfare of a child. He was remanded on $2,000 cash/ $5,000 bond.

David Fisher Jr., 44, of Mountainville was charged with attempted rape in the second degree and attempted endangering the welfare of a child. He was remanded on $800 cash/$2,000 bond/ $4,000 partially secured bond.

Steven M. Masnaghetti, 37, of Newton, N.J., was charged with attempted rape in the second degree and attempted endangering the welfare of a child. He was remanded on $2,000 cash/ $5,000 bond.

Dimitriy Smolskiy Jr., 31, of Mahwah, N.J., was charged with public lewdness and issued an appearance ticket.

In its announcement, the police also said it would continue to conduct similar operations to “safeguard the community from those who attempt to prey on children,” and urged the public to report any suspicious activity related to child exploitation to law enforcement. Anyone who may have additional information about the arrestees noted above can contact the State Police Middletown Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) at 845-344-5300.