Executive Summary
- Hernan Cabrera, 30, arrested on charges of possessing child pornography.
- Investigation led by the FBI’s New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force.
- Defendant pleaded not guilty and was released pending a January 6 court date.
A 30-year-old Staten Island man has been arrested and charged following a joint investigation by federal and local authorities into the alleged possession of child pornography. The probe, which involved high-level task force operations, centered on digital evidence recovered from the suspect’s residence.
According to the criminal complaint, Hernan Cabrera, a resident of Victory Boulevard in Tompkinsville, is accused of possessing at least one digital image depicting children under the age of 16 engaging in sexual activity. Authorities allege that the material included content depicting men sexually abusing children as young as two years old.
The arrest was executed on November 5 at the Foley Square Federal Building in Manhattan following an investigation led by the FBI’s New York Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Public records indicate that the New York Police Department’s Special Victims Unit assisted federal agents in the apprehension.
Cabrera faces charges of possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child and possessing a sexual performance by a child. During his arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges and was subsequently released with non-monetary considerations. He is scheduled to return to Criminal Court in St. George on January 6. Marion Linthicum, the attorney representing Cabrera, declined to comment on the allegations.
Judicial Context and Next Steps
As the case moves toward the pre-trial phase, the proceedings will likely focus on the admissibility and forensic analysis of the digital evidence seized by the task force. The collaboration between the FBI and the NYPD highlights the multi-jurisdictional approach often required to track and prosecute alleged crimes involving the exploitation of minors. It is important to note that all individuals, including Mr. Cabrera, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
