Staff Report / March 21, 2026
A Steuben County man is facing felony charges after authorities say he used social media to attempt to extort a local resident in a scheme uncovered earlier this year.
New York State Police report that 24-year-old Andrew Kidder, of Campbell, was arrested following an investigation that began in early February. The case originated when a resident of nearby Bath contacted law enforcement, claiming they had been targeted through a social media dating platform.
According to investigators, the suspect allegedly posed as someone else online and engaged the victim in conversations that escalated into the exchange of sensitive material. Police say the situation quickly turned into a threat, with the suspect demanding money and valuables while warning that the private information could be made public.
Authorities traced the activity back to Kidder using digital evidence and subpoenas issued to social media companies. Officials allege he created fraudulent accounts specifically to carry out the scheme.
Kidder was taken into custody on March 17 and charged with attempted grand larceny in the third degree as a hate crime, a Class D felony under New York law. Following processing, he was transported to the Steuben County Jail to await arraignment.
Law enforcement emphasized that the charges are accusations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The case highlights growing concerns around online scams that leverage personal information and digital anonymity. Authorities continue to urge the public to exercise caution when interacting with unknown individuals on social media and dating platforms.
