New York State Police arrested a 21-year-old Afton man this week, accusing him of posing online as a teenager to communicate with and engage in sexual activity with underage victims, including a child under the age of 13. Christian Carolan now faces three counts of first-degree rape among other charges, and investigators say they believe there could be additional victims who had contact with him.
According to wbng.com, Carolan impersonated a 15- or 16-year-old while interacting with minors online. Investigators with the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Sidney determined that Carolan had sexual relations with a victim under the age of 13, the station reports, and said the victim was forced to perform sexual acts during at least one encounter.
Arrest Turned Physical at Afton Residence
Investigators contacted Carolan at an Afton residence on Wednesday, Oct. 1, according to the Newport Dispatch. Police allege Carolan resisted arrest at that time and kicked an investigator's vehicle, causing damage to it. He was processed at State Police Sidney before being transported to the Chenango County Jail.
Carolan was charged with three counts of rape in the first degree, a class B felony, along with endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors, and third-degree criminal mischief, a class E felony, per the same report. He was remanded to the Chenango County Jail for centralized arraignment, with bail set at $40,000 cash, an $80,000 insurance-company bail bond, or a $120,000 partially secured bond.
Investigators Appeal for More Potential Victims
State Police released a photograph of Carolan, with investigators saying they believe the image may help additional potential victims recognize him, according to the article. WICZ reports that investigators believe there could be more people who had contact with Carolan and are asking anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Investigators are asking anyone who believes they may have had contact with Carolan, or who has information regarding his interactions with minors, to contact the New York State Police at (607) 561-7400 or by email, referencing case number NY2601118650.
Another Recent Chenango County Rape Case
Carolan's arrest comes amid a separate Chenango County case involving 45-year-old Wayne Viera of Sherburne, who was arrested after authorities executed a sealed indictment arrest warrant, according to binghamtonhomepage.com. Investigators in that case alleged Viera raped a juvenile female victim, and the sealed indictment charged him with two counts of first-degree rape, one count of second-degree rape, and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Viera was arraigned in Chenango County Court and remanded to the Chenango County Jail in lieu of bail, which was set at $85,000 cash, a $500,000 partially secured bond with 10% down, or a $200,000 insurance-company bail bond, the outlet reported.
No further case or court information was available for Carolan at the time of this report.
