Hudson Valley Captain Part of 12 Arrested in Underage Sex Sting

A high ranking Hudson Valley officer was one of 12 who were arrested as part of an underage sex sting.  The men allegedly answered an online ad involving sex with young girls.

Recently, a three-day sting in Warren County called “Operation Spider Byte” led to 12 men arrested for using social media to entice girls, ages nine to 14, to engage in sex acts.

Of the 12, one lives in the local area. 52-year-old Thomas G. Abrams of Wappingers was charged with attempted criminal sexual act. Abrams is a captain at the Westchester County Corrections, according to the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

"It’s sickening, you would not believe the number of predators out there," Warren County Sheriff Bud York said at a press conference.

After seeing an online ad for “taboo fun,” with nine to 14-year-old girls, the men would come to a hotel to meet the girls. The men were arrested after they allegedly agreed on a price, with an undercover officer acting as the girls pimp, reports Upstate New York.

“It’s out there; it’s happening right down the street from probably where you live. And people don’t know about it,” York said.

Also Arrested:

• Jose Roberto Zapata-Cruz, 32, of Schenectady
• Gerald F. Harrington III, 36, of Queensbury
• Thomas J. Clancy III, 21, of Saratoga Springs
• Mark D. Hodges, 63, of Latham
• Roger P. Whiting III, 43, of Queensbury
• Paul R. Wilson, 31, of Fort Edward
• Peter J. Fava, 41, of Halifax, Mass.
• William K. O'Connell, 46, of Fort Edward
• Timothy Celeste, 49, Glens Falls
• Adam S. Hiedman, 32, of Schenectady
• Frank L. Gunther, 61, of Mechanicville

The arrests stem from a long and joint effort between the FBI, New York State Police and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

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