A Wellsburg man has been charged with multiple felonies after New York State Police say he sent sexual communications and images to two minors through social media.
The investigation began June 17 after State Police in Painted Post received a report from a mandated reporter alleging that a child under the age of 12 had received sexual images and communications from an adult youth sports coach.
According to investigators, the suspect also engaged in similar conduct with a second victim under the age of 17 during the same period in June. Police say the communications took place through Snapchat and occurred over periods ranging from about one week to more than a month.
Authorities said no physical contact between the suspect and either victim was alleged.
Following an investigation conducted with assistance from the Steuben County Department of Social Services, Child Protective Services, and the Steuben County District Attorney’s Office, State Police arrested 21-year-old Donavan Smith, also known as Donavan Sutton, of Wellsburg.
Smith was charged with two counts of first-degree disseminating indecent material to minors, attempted use of a child in a sexual performance, attempted promoting a sexual performance by a child, promoting a sexual performance by a child, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Smith was arraigned in Steuben County Centralized Arraignment Part Court and remanded to the Steuben County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bond.
Orders of protection have been issued on behalf of the victims.
State Police say the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are possible. Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact State Police at 585-398-4100 or [email protected].
