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12 men have been arrested in recent days in what's being called a multi-agency sting involving men who wanted to have sex with an underage girl.
Among them, a school bus driver from Saratoga County, a downstate corrections captain, and a Glens Falls radio personality are among those facing charges.
State Police and the Warren County Sheriff's Office were involved in the effort. Police posted ads on websites offering "taboo fun," and when people responded, an undercover officer would say the "fun" involved a 14-year-old girl. Those who were arrested responded to the ad, and arranged a meeting, where they were taken into custody.
Six arrests took place Friday night alone.
Photos: Warren County Sheriff's Office
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WARREN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office in a long-planned, coordinated effort alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the New York State Police, arrested twelve male subjects over a three day sting dubbed Operation Spider Byte targeting individuals utilizing social media to entice minors to engage in sex acts.
Due to ongoing cases the details of the operation cannot be released, however the twelve subjects all solicited various criminal sexual acts with females raging in ages from 9-14 years of age.
Jose Roberto Zapata-Cruz, age 32, of 1071 Wendell Avenue, Schenectady, NY was charged with Attempted Rape in the Second Degree, a class E Felony. Cruz was arraigned in Queensbury Court, bail set in the amount of $10,000 cash/$20,000 secure bond.
Gerald F. Harrington III, age 36, of 30 Lupine Lane, Queensbury, NY was charged with Attempted Rape in the Second Degree, a class E Felony. Harrington was arraigned in Queensbury Court, bail set in the amount of $1000 cash/$2000 secure bond. Harrington was remanded to the Warren County Correctional Facility pending his return to court on 06/12/17 at 10:30am.
Thomas J. Clancy III, age 21, of 2 Concord Drive, Saratoga Springs, NY was charged with Attempted Rape in the Second Degree, a class E Felony. Clancy was arraigned in Queensbury Court, bail set in the amount of $1000 cash/$2000 secure bond.
Mark D. Hodges, age 63, of 1112 New Louden Road, Latham, NY was charged with Attempted Rape in the First Degree, a class C Felony; Attempted Aggravated Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, a class E Felony; and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree, a class A Misdemeanor. Hodges was arraigned in Queensbury Court, bail set in the amount of $7500 cash/$10,000 secure bond.
Roger P. Whiting III, age 43, of 29 Mallory Avenue, Queensbury, NY was charged with Attempted Rape in the Second, a class E Felony. Whiting was arraigned in Queensbury Court, bail set in the amount of $1500 cash/$3000 secure bond.
Paul R. Wilson, age 31, of 36 Ethan Allen Street, Fort Edward, NY was charged with Attempted Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, a class E Felony. Wilson was arraigned in Queensbury Court and released on recognizance.
The above listed defendants are all schedule to return to Queensbury Court on 06/12/2017 at 1030hrs.
The following defendants were also processed by State Police Investigators:
Peter J. Fava, age 41, of Halifax, MA;
William K. O’Connell, age 46, of Fort Edward, NY;
Timothy Celeste, age 49, Glens Falls, NY - DJ for Froggy 101.7;
Adam S. Hiedman, age 32, of Schenectady, NY;
Thomas G. Abrams, age 52, of Wappingers, NY - Captain of Westchester County Corrections; and
Frank L. Gunther, age 61, of Mechanicville, NY - School Bus Driver Mechanicville Central School.