LIBERTY – The Village of Liberty Police Department has made two additional arrests as part of its ongoing undercover investigations targeting individuals who use the internet and social media to attempt to sexually exploit children.

The arrests follow an August press conference held jointly by the Village of Liberty Police Department and Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office announcing the results of two separate enforcement initiatives, including Operation Dangerous DMs, an undercover operation targeting individuals who use online platforms to engage in sexually explicit communications with persons they believe to be children. The operation had previously resulted in six arrests.

On August 19, the Village of Liberty Police Department arrested Matthew Wunner, 31, of Kiamesha Lake, following an undercover investigation. During the investigation, a Liberty Police Officer, acting in an undercover capacity and posing online as a 13-year-old child, communicated with Wunner. Wunner, believing that he was communicating with a 13-year-old child, requested that the child send him sexually explicit photographs.

Wunner was located at his residence in Kiamesha Lake and taken into custody without incident. He was charged with Attempted Promoting an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child, a felony, in violation of New York State Penal Law. Wunner was issued an appearance ticket directing him to appear in the Town of Liberty Court at a future date.

On September 8, the Village of Liberty Police Department arrested Seth Tremper, 21, of Swan Lake, following a separate undercover investigation. During that investigation, a Liberty Police Officer, again acting in an undercover capacity and posing online as a 13-year-old child, communicated with Tremper.

During those communications, Tremper, believing that he was communicating with a 13-year-old child, engaged in sexually explicit communications describing simulated nudity and attempted to invite the child to engage in sexual conduct. Tremper also requested that the individual he believed to be a child send him nude sexually explicit photographs.

Officers located Tremper at his place of employment in Livingston Manor, where he was employed as a school bus aide. Tremper was located on a school bus and taken into custody without incident.

Tremper was charged with Attempted Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree, a felony, in violation of New York State Penal Law, and Attempted Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, a felony, in violation of New York State Penal Law. He was released on an appearance ticket and directed to appear at the Town of Liberty Court at a later date.

The Village of Liberty Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer division.

Chief of Police Steven D’Agata stated, “When we announced Operation Dangerous DMs in August, we made it clear that the arrests being announced that day did not mark the end of these investigations. Our officers continue to work proactively in an undercover capacity to identify individuals who are willing to use the internet to sexually exploit children.”