LIBERTY- The Village of Liberty Police Department has made two additional arrests as part of its ongoing undercover investigation into people who use the internet and social media to sexually exploit children.
The arrests are part of Operation Dangerous DMs, an undercover effort announced in August by Liberty police and the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office. The operation had already resulted in six arrests.
Police arrested Matthew Wunner, 31, of Kiamesha Lake after an undercover officer posing online as a 13-year-old allegedly communicated with him. According to police, Wunner believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old and requested sexually explicit photographs.
Wunner was arrested at his home and charged with attempted promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child, a felony. He was issued an appearance ticket for Town of Liberty Court.
Police also arrested Seth Tremper, 21, of Swan Lake, following a separate undercover investigation. Police said Tremper communicated with an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old, engaged in sexually explicit conversations, invited the person to engage in sexual conduct, and requested nude photographs.
Tremper was arrested at his workplace in Livingston Manor, where police said he was employed as a school bus aide. He was charged with attempted disseminating indecent material to minors in the first degree and attempted promoting a sexual performance by a child, both felonies.
Tremper was also released on an appearance ticket and directed to appear in Town of Liberty Court.
Police were assisted by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Division.
Chief Steven D’Agata said the department will continue the undercover operations, saying the goal is to identify suspects before an actual child becomes a victim.
The chief also criticized New York’s bail laws, noting that both suspects were released on appearance tickets under current law.
The department said the investigation remains ongoing.
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