Putnam County Sheriff's Office, 3 County Center, Carmel, NY (2026)

06/12/2026

CONNECTICUT MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING PUBLIC LEWDNESS INCIDENT IN PUTNAM LAKE

Sheriff Brian Hess announces the arrest of Craig A. Kropa, 39, of New Fairfield, Connecticut, following an investigation into a public lewdness complaint in the Putnam Lake area of the Town of Patterson.

On June 10, 2026, members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office responded to the Putnam Lake area after a resident reported that while walking her dogs on Lakeshore Drive, a male operating a gray SUV pulled alongside her and allegedly exposed himself while making vulgar remarks.

During the investigation, deputies obtained a witness statement and reviewed video surveillance footage from the area. Through investigative efforts conducted by Patrol and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Craig A. Kropa was identified as the suspect.

Kropa was subsequently taken into custody in connection with the incident.

Kropa was charged with:

• Public Lewdness – Class B Misdemeanor

Kropa was arraigned in the Town of Patterson Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.

06/12/2026

BREWSTER MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING INVESTIGATION INTO STOLEN VEHICLE TIRES

Sheriff Brian Hess announces the arrest of Martiliano Perez-Vasquez, 39, of Brewster, New York, following an investigation into the theft of thousands of dollars worth of vehicle tires from Mavis Discount Tire in the Town of Southeast.

On June 1, 2026, members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office responded to Mavis Discount Tire in Southeast following a report of missing inventory. Management reported ongoing inventory discrepancies involving vehicle tires stored at the location and advised investigators that more than 200 tires, valued at over $37,000, were unaccounted for.

During the investigation, investigators reviewed surveillance footage and conducted additional investigative steps which ultimately identified Perez-Vasquez as the suspect.

On June 11, 2026, investigators executed a court-authorized search warrant involving Perez-Vasquez and his vehicle. Perez-Vasquez was arrested without further incident.

Perez-Vasquez was charged with:

• Grand Larceny in the Third Degree – Class D Felony

Additional charges may be pending as the investigation remains ongoing.
Perez-Vasquez was arraigned in the Town of Carmel Justice Court and released on his own recognizance. As a condition of release, the court ordered Perez-Vasquez to report to probation.�

�The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office also thanks the Putnam County District Attorney’s office for their assistance with the case.

06/12/2026

PATTERSON MAN ARRESTED FOLLOWING CHILD EXPLOITATION INVESTIGATION

Sheriff Brian Hess announces the arrest of Mario R. Leiva, 22, of Patterson, New York, following an investigation into the sharing of child sexual abuse material conducted by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).

On May 7, 2026, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office received a CyberTipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the online distribution of suspected child sexual abuse material through the social media platform Snapchat.

Following an investigation, investigators identified Mario R. Leiva as the suspect.

On June 7, 2026, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Leiva was taken into custody in the Town of Patterson without incident. Investigators subsequently executed a search warrant at his residence. During the search, investigators seized several electronic devices.

Leiva was charged with:

• Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child Less Than 17 – Class D Felony

• Two Counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child – Class E
Felonies

Leiva was arraigned in the Town of Patterson Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office thanks Homeland Security Investigations – New York's Hudson Valley Office and the Putnam County District Attorney's Office for their assistance during the investigation.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

06/12/2026

Thursday June 11, 2026

PCSO - Investigators responded to the Middlesex County Jail and took custody of a subject on an outstanding bench warrant. The individual was additionally charged with Bail Jumping and remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility.

Carmel - A subject was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle and issued an appearance ticket.

Patterson - Deputies responded to a residence for a requested welfare check. One individual was transported to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation.

Southeast - Deputies responded to a verbal domestic dispute. The situation was handled on scene.

06/11/2026

Wednesday June 10, 2026

Putnam Valley - Deputies responded to a verbal dispute between two individuals. The situation was mediated by patrol.

Patterson - Deputies responded to an incident in the Putnam Lake area involving a suspicious male subject. Deputies canvassed the area with negative results. The investigation is ongoing.

Philipstown - Deputies responded to a verbal domestic dispute. The situation was handled on scene.

Southeast - Deputies responded to a medical call involving a semi-unresponsive female. EMS administered Narcan and transported the subject to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.

06/10/2026

Daily Highlights June 9, 2026

Southeast - During a traffic stop, deputies discovered drug paraphernalia and a quantity of methamphetamine inside the vehicle. One subject was arrested for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance and later released with an appearance ticket.

Southeast - Deputies responded to a motor vehicle accident on Route 312 where one of the drivers fled the scene. Deputies later located the vehicle and issued the driver several traffic summonses.

Putnam Valley- The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office assisted in a vehicle pursuit that originated in Westchester County and entered Putnam County on the northbound Taconic State Parkway. During the pursuit, PCSO deployed a pursuit mitigation tire deflation device. The pursuit continued and ended when the suspect vehicle crashed in the area of Route 301. Following a brief foot pursuit, the female driver was taken into custody. The New York State Police took custody of the subject and remained the primary investigating agency.

Putnam Valley - Deputies responded to and assisted the New York State Police with a large dispute involving multiple individuals and a report that one individual may have been in possession of a handgun. The incident was brought under control on scene. No crimes were committed.

06/09/2026

MAN ARRESTED AFTER TRESPASS INCIDENT AND STRUGGLE WITH DEPUTY IN PUTNAM VALLEY

Sheriff Brian Hess announces the arrest of Anthony James Morelli, 43, of Stamford, Connecticut, following a trespassing investigation that resulted in a physical struggle with a deputy in the Town of Putnam Valley.

On June 7, 2026, at approximately 9:54 a.m., members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office responded to a private residence in Putnam Valley for a report of an unknown male trespassing on private property and swimming in the residence's pool.

While responding to the call, deputies received information that the suspect had fled the area in a red pickup truck traveling toward Peekskill Hollow Road. A deputy quickly located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop.

Morelli repeatedly refused lawful commands from the deputy and actively resisted attempts to place him into custody, resulting in a physical struggle.

Despite the suspect's active resistance and a physical struggle that lasted several minutes, the deputy was able to maintain control of Morelli until additional officers arrived on scene to assist in taking him into custody. Both Morelli and the deputy sustained minor injuries during the incident. Morelli was transported to Putnam Hospital Center for evaluation and treatment. The deputy sustained minor injuries and was treated and released.

The Putnam County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the Kent Police Department, Carmel Police Department, and New York State Police for their assistance during the incident.

Following medical treatment, Morelli was transported to the Putnam County Correctional Facility for processing.

Morelli was charged with:

• Assault in the Second Degree – Class D Felony
• Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree – Class A Misdemeanor
• Resisting Arrest – Class A Misdemeanor
• Obstruction of Governmental Administration – Class A Misdemeanor

Morelli was held pending arraignment in the Town of Putnam Valley Justice Court. Bail was set at $1,500 cash / $3,000 bond.

06/09/2026

Putnam Valley - Deputies responded to a reported verbal domestic dispute. The incident was handled on scene.

Southeast - One subject was arrested for Aggravated DWI and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle following a traffic stop investigation.

Carmel - Deputies handled a lobby complaint regarding a reported verbal domestic incident.

Carmel - Deputies responded to the area of the Putnam Plaza for a report of a subject consuming alcohol outside of a supermarket. During the investigation, the subject refused to comply with deputies and was arrested for resisting arrest and violating the local open container law.

06/08/2026

Heading out to the Putnam County Trailway this summer?

You may see one of our deputies patrolling the trail on a dedicated UTV throughout the season. Along with our bicycle patrol officers, this high-visibility presence allows us to respond quickly to incidents, assist trail users, and address quality-of-life concerns along the Trailway.

We’re committed to keeping the Trailway safe and enjoyable for everyone.

And if you see us out there, don’t hesitate to stop and say hello.

06/08/2026

2 MEN ARRESTED ON FELONY WEAPONS CHARGES FOLLOW TRAFFIC STOP

Sheriff Brian Hess reports the arrest of Kiam A. Gory, age 36, of Beacon, NY, and Curtis L. Lunsford, age 47, of Wappingers Falls, NY, following a traffic stop investigation in the Town of Putnam Valley.

On June 5, 2026, at approximately 7:02 p.m., members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Conditions Unit conducted a traffic stop on a green Honda Civic after observing the vehicle fail to use a turn signal while turning right onto the Taconic State Parkway in the Town of Putnam Valley.

During the investigation, deputies recovered a loaded pistol equipped with a high-capacity magazine from inside the vehicle. The driver, Kiam Gory, and front passenger, Curtis Lunsford, were both placed under arrest.

Both subjects were charged with:

• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree (Loaded Firearm) – Class C Felony
� • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree (Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device) – Class D Felony
� • Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 3rd Degree (Previous Conviction) – Class D Felony

Gory was arraigned in the Town of Putnam Valley Court and remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility with bail set at $25,000 cash / $50,000 bond.

Lunsford was also arraigned and remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility without bail due to two previous felony convictions.

( All suspects mentioned in this media release are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. )

Putnam County Sheriff's Office

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