A 46-year-old Arcade man pleaded guilty this week to seven counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child and one count of first-degree attempted dissemination of indecent material to minors as a sexually motivated felony. Donald C. Gerhardt entered his plea in Wyoming County Court on Friday, in a case that began last July when he arranged to meet someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl.
According to Video News Service, Gerhardt sent explicit pictures to the person he believed was a 13-year-old female child and arranged to meet. The case stemmed from Gerhardt's interactions with a decoy group that targets suspected predators, and as reported by The Daily News Online, the investigation began on July 19, 2026.
When Gerhardt arrived for the purported meet-up, two members of that decoy group confronted him. Those two individuals then contacted the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office, the outlet's report notes. Sheriff's investigators searched Gerhardt's cellphone and located multiple images of child sexual abuse material, per the same account.
Sheriff's Report Details July Response
A separate Wyoming County Sheriff's report states that on July 19, 2026, deputies and Arcade Police Officers were requested to respond to a business in the Village of Arcade for a report of a male attempting to meet a 13-year-old female. Gerhardt was not arrested immediately; he was taken into custody on September 23, 2026, and charged with attempted disseminating indecent materials to minors as a sexually motivated felony, the sheriff's account says.
First Assistant District Attorney Chelsie Hamilton prosecuted the case, while Matthew Winchell represented Gerhardt. The report notes there was no plea offer in the case.
Sentencing Set for February, Penalty Range Disputed
Sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Donald G. O'Geen, according to the station's report. Gerhardt will also be required to register as a sex offender and must pay fines, fees, and surcharges, the outlet notes.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 4, 2027, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Donald G. O'Geen, according to the station's report. Gerhardt will also be required to register as a sex offender and must pay fines, fees, and surcharges, the outlet notes. Both reports say Gerhardt could face up to 20 years in prison. The Daily News Online states that possible punishments include a three-year conditional discharge, one year in jail, or up to 20 years in prison. Video News Service reports a range that includes a three-year conditional discharge or probation, up to 364 days in local jail, or up to 20 years in the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
