By: Laura Soukkavong
ALTAMONT, N.Y. — A 41-year-old Altamont man was arrested on two felony charges involving child sexual exploitation material following an investigation prompted by a cyber tip to authorities, New York State Police announced.
Matthew D. Smith was arrested Nov. 2 by State Police in Latham, with assistance from the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, according to a Nov. 6 police release.
Smith is accused of promoting and possessing images consistent with child sexual exploitation, State Police said. Investigators said the case originated with a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Authorities charged Smith with promoting a sexual performance by a child, a class D felony, and possessing a sexual performance by a child, a class E felony.
State Police did not disclose the number of images involved, describe the circumstances under which they were allegedly obtained or distributed, or provide details about the cyber tip beyond identifying its source.
Following his arrest, Smith was processed at the State Police barracks in Latham and arraigned in Guilderland Town Court.
A judge ordered Smith held at the Albany County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash bail, a $20,000 bond or a $40,000 partially secured bond, according to police.
The State Police announcement did not provide a date for Smith’s next court appearance or identify any additional defendants.
The charges are allegations, and Smith is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.