Two local men, Robert W. Messler of Cobleskill and Robert Weinberg of Schoharie, have been arrested on child porn, drug, and gun charges in separate incidents.
State Police said there is no known connection between the two cases.
On Thursday, Robert W. Messler, 33, was arrested for possessing and promoting images consistent with child sexual exploitation via the internet following an investigation by Cobleskill State Police with the assistance of the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Troopers said the investigation stemmed from a cyber tip and the execution of a search warrant at Mr. Messler’s Cobleskill home, where they also located a handgun that he didn’t have a permit for.
He was arrested on charges of promoting a sexual performance by a child, a D felony; possession a sexual performance by a child, an E felony; and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, an A misdemeanor.
Mr. Messler was arraigned in Cobleskill Town Court and released in his own recognizance.
He is to be monitored by Schoharie County Probation and is due back in court September 8 at 4:45pm.
Mr. Messler’s arrest followed by a day the Wednesday arrest of Robert Weinberg, 39, of Schoharie, also on child porn and weapons charges, also following an investigation by Cobleskill State Police, the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Mr. Weinberg was charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child, a Class F felony; possessing a sexual performance by a child, a Class D felony; three counts of criminal possession of a weapon third degree, a Class D felony; and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, an A misdemeanor.
Mr. Weinberg is accused of possessing and promoting images consistent with child sexual exploitation via the internet.
His arrest followed an investigation stemming from a cyber tip received by the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the execution of a search warrant at his home.
While carrying out the warrant, investigators also located an illegal assault rifle, two high-capacity magazines, and a quantity of ecstasy and concentrated marijuana.
Mr. Weinberg was arraigned in the Schoharie Town Court and released on bail.
He was due back in court August 31.