Five men from across New York and New Jersey are now jailed after an undercover child exploitation sting in Rockland County that targeted people trying to prey on kids online, according to authorities. The men, from Spring Valley, Poughkeepsie, Brooklyn, Secaucus and Ronkonkoma, face charges that include attempted rape and attempted dissemination of indecent material to a minor. Four were arraigned in Ramapo Town Court and sent to the Rockland County Jail, while one was arraigned in Orange County and remanded there.
News 12 New York reports that the arrests grew out of a multi-agency undercover detail focused on internet crimes against children. The men were identified as Oleksandr Vershok, 36, of Brooklyn; Anthony Kamycki, 36, of Ronkonkoma; Ritchy Mercure, 24, of Spring Valley; Alex Garrett, 26, of Secaucus, N.J.; and Bryan Wylong, 24, of Poughkeepsie. The charges listed in the operation include attempted unlawful dealing with a child and attempted endangering the welfare of a child, according to the outlet.
Coordinated undercover detail
Law enforcement across the Hudson Valley has been leaning on similar decoy-style operations in recent months to expose people who try to solicit sex from minors or trade exploitative material online. The same basic playbook surfaced earlier this spring, when federal prosecutors charged a Montebello man in a separate child exploitation case, as previously reported. Recorded Abuse Of 12-Year-Old In Rockland outlines how federal agents and local police coordinate on these investigations.
Court status and tips for victims
State police told reporters that four of the suspects were arraigned in Ramapo Town Court and remanded to the Rockland County Jail, while Wylong was arraigned in Orange County and sent to the Orange County Jail, according to News 12 New York. Authorities described the undercover work as a coordinated effort among multiple agencies that focus on combating internet crimes against children. Anyone who believes they may have been a victim, or who has information about similar conduct, is asked to call New York State Police Troop F Headquarters at 845-344-5300, per News 12.
Legal note
The allegations involve both felony and misdemeanor counts under New York law and could carry serious penalties if any of the men are convicted. All of the charges remain accusations at this stage, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty in court.
