New York State Police say a 33-year-old Copiague man is facing a raft of child sex-image charges after investigators allegedly found illegal material on his personal electronics.
Troopers allege that Jeffrey C. Buffalino possessed child sexual abuse material on his devices, wrapping up an investigation on March 19 that resulted in 10 counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class E felony. Buffalino is scheduled to appear in Suffolk County First District Court on April 17, 2026, at 9 a.m. The charges are accusations only, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
According to Newport Dispatch, the case was investigated by members of the New York State Police Troop L Computer Crimes Unit, with assistance from the NYSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation. That outlet reports that investigators located the suspected illegal material on Buffalino’s personally owned electronic devices and then formally charged him with 10 counts.
How Troop L investigates these cases
Troop L’s Computer Crimes Unit typically starts with cyber tips or digital leads, then seeks search warrants before combing through seized phones, laptops and storage drives. As outlined by the New York State Police in prior Suffolk County cases, investigators often remove multiple electronic devices from a home, conduct forensic reviews of the digital content and only then make charging decisions.
Charges and penalties
Possessing a sexual performance by a child is defined under New York Penal Law §263.16 and is categorized as a class E felony. As described on NYSenate.gov, the statute criminalizes the possession of sexual performances involving minors.
Legal guides note that a class E felony in New York can carry a sentence of up to four years in prison, along with possible fines and registration requirements, according to FindLaw.
What comes next
Buffalino’s initial appearance in Suffolk County First District Court is set for April 17, 2026, at 9 a.m., per Newport Dispatch. The brief State Police summary circulated to local media has not publicly identified any alleged victims or described the specific files involved. Further details are expected to emerge through court filings and the public docket as the case moves forward.
