A Weedsport man has been charged following a months-long investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to the Cayuga County Sheriff’s Office, the case began in January when the FBI alerted local detectives about someone using the internet to communicate and receive illicit material. Investigators worked with federal authorities and identified the suspect as 68-year-old Frederick Petrie.
In March, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Petrie’s home, seizing several electronic devices. Officials say a forensic review of those devices later uncovered files believed to contain child sexual abuse material.
Petrie turned himself in on April 23 and was charged with possession of a sexual performance by a child, a class E felony.
He was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in Weedsport Village Court on May 4.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
