By Tiffany Williams –
New York State Police made multiple felony arrests in separate order of protection investigations this week, while New Jersey officials announced that a statewide anti-human trafficking initiative surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup resulted in the recovery of dozens of suspected victims and dozens of arrests.
Threats Against State Police Lead to Hate Crime Charges
New York State Police arrested 43-year-old Kelvin Tanksley of Syracuse on Aug. 3 following an investigation into a series of threatening telephone calls made to the Troop D communications center in Oneida the previous evening.
Investigators determined Tanksley made multiple calls to the dispatch center during which he repeatedly threatened to kill a New York State Trooper, a State Police Communications Specialist and a protected party who is the subject of a valid New York State Order of Protection against him.
Authorities also allege Tanksley directed threatening and derogatory statements toward the victims because they were white.
As a result of the investigation, Tanksley was charged with Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, Criminal Contempt in the First Degree and Aggravated Family Offense.
Members of the Troop D VGNET Unit located Tanksley in Syracuse, took him into custody without incident and transported him to State Police in Oneida for processing.
He was arraigned in Madison County CAP Court and remanded in lieu of $10,000 cash bail or a $50,000 secured bond.
State Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
Order of Protection Investigations Result in Additional Arrests
New York State Police also arrested 33-year-old Michael J. Lavare of Malone on Aug. 3 on charges of Aggravated Family Offense and Criminal Contempt in the First Degree.
Troopers responded at approximately 11 a.m. to St. Mary Road in the Town of Malone after receiving a report of an order of protection violation.
Investigators determined Child Protective Services had learned Lavare was allegedly violating an active order of protection and contacted State Police.
Authorities said further investigation determined Lavare had been at the residence in violation of the order before leaving prior to law enforcement’s arrival.
Lavare was later located, transported to State Police in Malone for processing, arraigned in Town of Malone Court and remanded to the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $1,000 cash bail, a $2,000 bond or a $3,000 unsecured bond.
In a separate case, State Police arrested 35-year-old Dalton D. Franklin of Gouverneur on July 30 on charges of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree and Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree.
Troopers responded to New Street in the Town of Edwards after receiving a report of an order of protection violation.
Investigators determined Franklin allegedly violated the order by sending multiple text messages to the protected party and also made threatening statements to harm the victim during a telephone conversation.
Franklin was processed by State Police in Gouverneur, arraigned in the Town of Edwards Court and remanded to the St. Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $5,000 cash bail or a $10,000 bond.
New Jersey Announces Human Trafficking Operation Results
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Division of Criminal Justice and the New Jersey State Police announced the results of statewide anti-human trafficking investigations conducted before and during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Officials said the operations resulted in the recovery of 97 suspected human trafficking victims and led to 71 arrests.
According to authorities, 40 of those arrested were alleged buyers of commercial sex, while 31 others were arrested for other offenses connected to the investigations.
The operations were led by the Division of Criminal Justice and the New Jersey State Police with assistance from 44 local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Officials said proactive outreach operations were conducted in several counties across New Jersey.
Working with Covenant House, Volunteers of America and the New Jersey State Police’s Operation RISE program, investigators identified suspected trafficking victims and offered connections to services including housing, mental health care, legal assistance and substance abuse treatment resources.
State officials said the enforcement efforts were part of broader initiatives launched before and during the FIFA World Cup to combat human trafficking, educate businesses and licensed professionals about warning signs, and raise public awareness through advertisements at airports, hotels, transportation networks, media platforms and fan venues.
Authorities said investigations connected to several operations remain ongoing, with individual cases being handled by county prosecutors throughout New Jersey.