A Cayuga County Sheriff’s deputy has been charged with multiple felony sex offenses following an investigation by the New York State Police into an alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor.
State Police announced that Hunter Lawrence, 25, of Auburn, was arrested on Friday after investigators determined he allegedly engaged in multiple sexual encounters over an extended period with a victim who was under the age of 17.
According to investigators, the alleged incidents occurred while the victim was at different ages, resulting in multiple charges under New York law.
Lawrence has been charged with:
- Two counts of second-degree rape, a Class D felony
- Two counts of third-degree rape, a Class E felony
- One count of endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor
State Police said there are no allegations that any of the alleged conduct occurred while Lawrence was on duty as a deputy sheriff.
Lawrence has been employed by the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office since June 16, 2023, and is assigned to the Road Patrol Division.
He was processed at the State Police barracks in Homer before being transported to the Cortland County Jail for centralized arraignment.
In a statement released Saturday, Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck said the Sheriff’s Office was notified of Lawrence’s arrest and has been fully cooperating with the New York State Police throughout the investigation.
Schenck said Lawrence was immediately placed on paid administrative leave effective Friday and relieved of all law enforcement duties, including his authority to carry a department-issued firearm or exercise police powers, pending the outcome of both the criminal case and the Sheriff’s Office’s internal administrative investigation.
The sheriff noted that under Section 75 of New York State Civil Service Law, employees covered by the statute generally cannot be suspended without pay before disciplinary proceedings are completed, except under limited circumstances. As a result, Schenck said placing Lawrence on paid administrative leave is a legal requirement designed to protect due process rights and should not be interpreted as a judgment on the criminal charges or his employment status.
The Sheriff’s Office has also launched a separate administrative investigation to determine whether Lawrence violated department policies or standards of conduct. Schenck said any administrative action will be taken after both the criminal and internal investigations are complete and in accordance with state law and applicable labor agreements.
“The allegations involved in this case are extremely serious and deeply troubling,” Schenck said in the statement. “If proven, such conduct is completely inconsistent with the oath of office, the values of this agency, and the professionalism demonstrated every day by the dedicated men and women who serve the residents of Cayuga County.”
State Police said the criminal investigation remains ongoing.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are accusations, and Lawrence is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
