Local investigation leads to 18 arrests related to sexual exploitation of a minor
DUNDEE, N.Y. (WENY) -- New York State Police announced today that 18 people from the Southern Tier, Finger Lakes area and Florida have been arrested after an investigation into the sexual exploitation of a child. Police say that on Oct. 13th of last year it Troopers out of Horseheads began an investigation into a 49-year-old Dundee man for allegedly sexually exploiting a minor child.
The investigation determined the abuse of the child took place over seven years at various locations across the Southern Tier and Yates County. As a result, Andrew Daugherty and 17 other people are now facing charges in connection to the exploitation of that same minor after being indicted by a Yates Grand Jury on March 16th after the Yates County District Attorney’s Office presented the case.
A full list of people charged as a result of the investigation, including what crimes they face, can be found below.
Andrew Daugherty of Dundee: Predatory Sexual Assault against a Child (A-II Felony), Predatory Sexual Assault (A-II Felony), Sex Trafficking of a Child (B Felony), Compelling Prostitution (B Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 3rd Degree (D Felony), Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony), Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony). Daugherty was also charged as a co-defendant for aiding and abetting others in the promotion of sexual acts.
Micheleine Ridley of Dundee: Predatory Sexual Assault against a Child and Tampering with Physical Evidence (E Felony);
Michael Gucciardo of Bath: Rape 1st Degree (B Felony), Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree (B Felony), Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony), Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony), Rape 3rd Degree (E Felony), and Criminal Sexual Act 3rd Degree (E Felony);
Ashley Crandall of Corning: Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree (B Felony);
Anthony Hawn of Holly Hill, FL: Rape 2nd Degree (D Felony) and Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony);
Mary Diederich of Bath: Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree (B Felony) and 3rd Degree (E Felony), Aggravated Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree (C Felony), Sexual Abuse 1st Degree (D Felony), Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony), and Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony);
Tiffany Jamieson of Binghamton: Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony);
Richard Tallarida of Elmira: Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony), Rape 2nd Degree (D Felony), Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony), and Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony);
Zackery Crissell of Elmira: Rape 2nd Degree (D Felony) and Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony);
Wayne Niles of Elmira: Rape 2nd Degree (D Felony);
Ashley Shaffer of Bath: Two counts of Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony);
Aaron Labar of Prattsburgh: Sexual Abuse 1st Degree (D Felony) but the charges has been returned to local court and will be amended to Sexual Abuse 2nd Degree (A Misdemeanor);
Stephanie Ridley of Dundee: Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony) and Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony)
Five other individuals have plead guilty to the following charges:
Brittany Skinkle of Elmira: Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree (B Felony);
Gregory Scears of Elmira: Rape 3rd Degree (E Felony);
Summer Elliott of Elmira: Criminal Sexual Act 2nd Degree (D Felony) and Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (C Felony);
Steven Sherman of Elmira: Rape 3rd Degree (E Felony);
Kayla Montgomery of Olean: Criminal Sexual Act 1st Degree (B Felony)
State Police say the investigation was conducted with assistance from the Holly Hill Police Department of Florida, the Yates County District Attorney’s Office, the Yates County Department of Social Services, and the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit.
WENY News will continue to follow this story and update it as more information becomes available.
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