Staff Report / January 2, 2026
Painted Post NY – A 24-year-old man from California was taken into custody in Western New York this week after a multi-count child exploitation investigation by the New York State Police based in Painted Post, authorities confirmed.
Jacob A. Hanes, of Palm Springs, California, now faces a series of serious charges stemming from electronic communication with a minor, according to a state police press release issued Wednesday.
Hanes was charged with promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child which is a Class D felony under New York law alongside criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, also a Class D felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor offense.
Allegations Involving Juvenile Communications
Investigators determined Hanes engaged in electronic communication with a juvenile and requested sexually explicit images and videos, despite knowing the individual was under the age of 17, police said.
In addition to the alleged exploitation charges, state troopers also found Hanes in possession of a forged New York State identification card at the time of his arrest, adding another level to the charges against him.
State Police located Hanes in Buffalo while he was visiting the region and subsequently took him into custody without incident. He was transported to the Steuben County Jail in Bath where he awaits centralized arraignment before a county judge.
