7 arrested for joint online child exploitation and human trafficking

ORANGE COUNTY, NY – A series of online scams has led to the arrests of a disturbingly high number of suspects in our region, according to state and federal officials.

The New York State Police announced that, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, an undercover operation targeting individuals involved in online child exploitation took place in the town of Wallkill.

According to authorities, the multi-day operation resulted in the identification and arrest of several suspects involved in illegal activities related to child exploitation and trafficking.

According to police, highly trained investigators and agents were able to infiltrate online platforms where these crimes often take place. Using advanced cyber tactics, investigators and agents were able to identify individuals attempting to exploit vulnerable children online and meet them in person.

As a result of the operation, seven men were arrested and charged. Police say a historical investigation into all the men exposed during this investigation is continuing:

• Rafael Rosas Martinez, 38, of Highland Mills, was charged with attempted second-degree rape and attempted endangering the welfare of a child.
• Steven M. Masnaghetti, 37, of Newton, New Jersey, was charged with attempted second-degree rape and attempted endangering the welfare of a child.
• Moises Ortega, 37, of New Windsor, was charged with second-degree rape and attempted endangering the welfare of a child.
• Omar Palma-Santos, 36, of Middletown, was charged with second-degree rape and attempted endangering the welfare of a child.
• Kervin Constant, 56, of Middletown, was charged with attempted distribution of indecent content to a minor and attempted second-degree rape.
• David Fisher Jr., 44, of Mountainville was charged with attempted second-degree rape and attempted endangering the welfare of a child.
• Dimitriy Smolskiy Jr., 31, of Mahwah, New Jersey, was charged with public indecency.

State Police and the FBI urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity related to child exploitation to authorities. Authorities said they would continue to conduct similar operations to protect the community from those seeking to exploit children.

If anyone has additional information about the arrested individuals, they are asked to contact State Police Middletown at the Middletown Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) at 845-344-5300.