Staff Report / January 24, 2026
Schuyler County, N.Y. – A 27-year-old Trumansburg man was arrested earlier this month following a New York State Police investigation into inappropriate online interactions with a minor that included explicit audio and video exchanges.
State Police in Montour Falls began the probe in December 2025 after receiving a complaint regarding inappropriate communications between an adult male and a juvenile female. Investigators determined the suspect, identified as Franklin M. Zanker, used social media platforms to engage with the victim and knowingly exchanged sexually explicit material.
The case was subsequently taken over by the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation. A forensic interview with the juvenile was conducted at the Chemung County Child Advocacy Center as part of the investigation.
On January 15, 2026, troopers working with the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence on Voorheis Road in the Town of Hector. Zanker was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Montour Falls barracks for processing.
Zanker was charged with Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree, a Class D felony. He was arraigned in Schuyler County Centralized Arraignment Processing (CAP) Court and remanded to the Schuyler County Jail. An order of protection was requested on behalf of the juvenile victim.
State Police are asking anyone who may have had contact with Zanker or has information related to the case to contact the Montour Falls barracks at (585) 398-4100; tips can also be provided anonymously by email.
Authorities noted that the charge is an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
