A former corrections officer for the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office in New York is facing felony charges following a “lengthy” investigation involving the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
The investigation into Robert “Tyler” Williams, 32, of Waterloo, New York, began following a referral from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children regarding the sexual exploitation of a child, according to New York State Police, which adopted the case in September.
Police executed court-authorised search warrants and conducted forensic analysis of electronic devices that were seized, resulting in Williams’ arrest on December 23, state police said.
Williams is charged with criminal possession of sexual performance of a child and criminal possession of a firearm. He remains in custody at the Seneca County Jail as he awaits arraignment in court. The investigation is ongoing.
Sheriff Timothy Thompson released a statement Friday saying he’s “shocked and deeply disturbed” by the allegations, adding they are “in no way reflective of the values or standards of this organisation.”
“The correction sergeant is no longer employed by this Office, and the matter is being investigated by an outside agency to ensure transparency and impartiality. This Office is working with the outside agency to provide any assistance needed and will continue to cooperate fully,” Thompson said.
“In addition to severing employment and assisting the outside agency with the investigation, we also consistently review our hiring practices to ensure compliance with professional standards. 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. These improvements include the implementations of job-specific psychological examinations, polygraph examinations, and panel interviews.”
“As your Sheriff, I will continue to work tirelessly to protect and serve with integrity and professionalism. I stand united with this community and members of the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office in condemning this alleged behaviour.”
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children referral indicates Williams came to law enforcement’s attention through the organisation’s CyberTipline, which receives reports from technology companies about suspected child sexual exploitation material uploaded to their platforms.
The September adoption of the case by state police means investigators spent at least three months gathering evidence before executing search warrants and making an arrest. Child exploitation cases typically require extensive digital forensic work to identify suspects, trace digital evidence, and build prosecutable cases.
The court-authorised search warrants allowed investigators to seize Williams’ electronic devices, including computers, phones, tablets, and storage media. Forensic analysis of these devices involves recovering deleted files, examining internet history, and identifying images or videos depicting child sexual abuse.
The criminal possession of sexual performance of a child charge addresses possession of child sexual abuse material, commonly called child pornography. New York law criminalises possessing, distributing, or producing images or videos depicting minors engaged in sexual conduct.
The criminal possession of a firearm charge suggests investigators found weapons during the search of Williams’ residence or property. Corrections officers typically have access to firearms through their employment, raising questions about whether the weapon was legally owned or possessed under circumstances that violated law.
Williams working as a corrections sergeant means he held supervisory authority over other officers and inmates at the Seneca County Jail. The position requires background checks and carries responsibilities for maintaining security and supervising vulnerable populations.
Sheriff Thompson’s statement emphasising that Williams “is no longer employed” indicates the department terminated him immediately upon learning of the charges. Most law enforcement agencies have policies requiring suspension or termination of officers facing serious criminal charges.
The outside agency investigation Thompson mentioned ensures impartiality given Williams’ former employment with the sheriff’s office. Having state police or another external agency handle the case prevents conflicts of interest or appearances of favouritism.
Thompson’s description of improved hiring practices since taking office in January 2024 suggests awareness that better screening could prevent officers with criminal tendencies from being hired. The psychological examinations, polygraph tests, and panel interviews represent enhanced vetting beyond basic background checks.
However, these improved hiring practices wouldn’t have affected Williams if he was hired before Thompson took office. The improvements may prevent future problems but don’t address how Williams was initially employed or what warning signs may have been missed.
The ongoing investigation suggests prosecutors and investigators are examining whether additional charges are warranted, whether other victims exist, or whether Williams distributed child sexual abuse material beyond possessing it.
