Five people have been arrested following a multiagency Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) operation targeting individuals accused of attempting to sexually exploit minors online, the New York State Police announced.
The investigation, conducted over several days in June, used undercover investigators and cyber investigative techniques to identify suspects who allegedly communicated online with individuals they believed were children and attempted to arrange in-person meetings for illegal sexual activity.
The operation involved the New York State Police, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, Town of Ramapo Police Department, Rockland County Intelligence Center, FBI Rye Safe Streets Task Force, and New York State Intelligence Center.
Authorities said the suspects face felony and misdemeanor charges, and investigators are continuing to review digital evidence for possible additional victims or offenses.
Officials credited the coordinated effort among law enforcement agencies for helping identify and arrest individuals before they could harm children, emphasizing that protecting children remains a top priority.
Arrested Individuals:
Oleksandr Vershok, 36, Brooklyn, New York
Charged with:
Attempted Rape in the Second Degree (Class E Felony)
Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class B Misdemeanor)
On June 12, 2026, Vershok was arraigned in the Town of Ramapo Court before the Honorable Alejandra Silva and remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, $100,000 bond, or a $150,000 partially secured bond.
Anthony J. Kamycki, 36, Ronkonkoma, New York
Charged with:
Attempted Rape in the Second Degree (Class E Felony)
Attempted Disseminating Indecent Materials to a Minor in the First Degree (Class E Felony)
Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class B Misdemeanor)
On June 12, 2026, Kamycki was arraigned in the Town of Ramapo Court before the Honorable Alejandra Silva and remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, $100,000 bond, or a $150,000 partially secured bond.
Ritchy D. Mercure, 24, Spring Valley, New York
Charged with:
Attempted Rape in the Second Degree (Class E Felony)
Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class B Misdemeanor)
On June 13, 2026, Mercure was arraigned in the Town of Ramapo Court before the Honorable Alejandra Silva and remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, $100,000 bond, or a $150,000 partially secured bond.
Alex Garrett, 26, Secaucus, New Jersey
Charged with:
Two Counts of Attempted Rape in the Second Degree (Class E Felony)
Attempted Unlawful Dealing with a Child in the First Degree (Class B Misdemeanor)
Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class B Misdemeanor)
On June 13, 2026, Garrett was arraigned in the Town of Ramapo Court before the Honorable Alejandra Silva and remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, $100,000 bond, or a $150,000 partially secured bond.
Bryan J. Wylong, 24, Poughkeepsie, New York
Charged with:
Three Counts of Attempted Rape in the Second Degree (Class E Felony)
Attempted Disseminating Indecent Materials to a Minor in the First Degree (Class E Felony)
Attempted Endangering the Welfare of a Child (Class B Misdemeanor)
On June 23, 2026, Wylong was arraigned at the Orange County Centralized Arraignment before the Honorable Karen A. Amundson and remanded to the Orange County Jail in lieu of $7,500 cash bail, $15,000 bond, or a $30,000 partially secured bond.
The New York State Police emphasize that these arrests are merely accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Anyone who may have information related to these individuals or who believes they may have been a victim is encouraged to contact the New York State Police Troop F Headquarters at (845) 344-5300.
The New York State Police remain committed, alongside our local, county, state, and federal law enforcement partners, to identifying individuals who exploit children online, protecting vulnerable victims, and holding offenders accountable.
A grand jury in Lower Manhattan indicted former NYPD detective Victor Romero on a second-degree murder charge Tuesday afternoon, upgrading the charge from manslaughter as the investigation into a fatal shooting continues.
Romero, a Haverstraw resident, was seen publicly for the first time Tuesday as he arrived at a Lower Manhattan courthouse in connection with the fatal shooting of Koran Irvine on the George Washington Bridge. He later left the courthouse following a brief court appearance.
The indictment marks a significant development in the case against Romero, who was initially charged with murder before being arraigned last week on a reduced charge of first-degree manslaughter.
Romero posted $1 million bail and remains free while the case proceeds through the court system.
October 26, 2026 — Three Haverstraw police officers were injured after a suspect allegedly struck and ran over an officer while fleeing police during a response to a reported attempted break-in on October 23, according to the Haverstraw Police Department.
Police said officers responded to a residence in the Village of Haverstraw at approximately 4:41 p.m. for a report of a disorderly male attempting to break into a residence.
Responding officers located a vehicle matching the description provided. As officers gave the driver verbal commands to exit the vehicle, the suspect allegedly accelerated directly toward an officer, striking and running over the officer before fleeing the scene.
The suspect then led officers on a pursuit southbound along Route 9W into Clarkstown before turning northbound toward Haverstraw, police said.
The pursuit ended after the suspect allegedly crashed into a Haverstraw Police Department vehicle occupied by police personnel. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody.
Three Haverstraw police officers were transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained during the incident. The suspect, identified as Isaac Catedral, 24, of Haverstraw, was also transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation.
Suspect Faces Multiple Charges
According to police, Catedral faces the following charges:
Aggravated Attempted Murder
Assault in the Second Degree
Assault in the Third Degree
Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree
Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree
Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree
Catedral was arraigned on the morning of October 26 in the Village of Haverstraw Justice Court and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility.
Multiple Agencies Assist
The Haverstraw Police Department received assistance from the Stony Point Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, Clarkstown Police Department, New York State Police, and Ramapo Police Department.
The incident remains a serious reminder of the dangers police officers face while responding to emergency calls and attempting to apprehend suspects.
Legal Notice: A criminal complaint is an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.