NY State Police Sergeant Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Minors

NY State Police Sergeant Charged with Sexually Exploiting Two Children

Steven Calderon, a 43-year-old sergeant with the New York State Police, was arrested and charged by federal prosecutors with sexually exploiting two minors and possessing child pornography, according to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. The disturbing charges were revealed after authorities executed a search warrant at his Orange County home in connection with an unrelated assault case, finding thousands of illicit images and videos on his electronic devices.

The case, detailed in a newly unsealed federal complaint, alleges that Calderon used hidden surveillance to record two children, ages 9 and 10, in his bathroom while they were undressing. He then allegedly created and possessed explicit material of the victims. NBC New York reported that Calderon, who joined the state police in 2022, was arrested on October 25, 2026, and ordered held without bail after an initial appearance in federal court in White Plains.

A Betrayal of the Badge

The allegations against Calderon strike at the core of public trust in law enforcement. He is accused of two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possessing child pornography, charges that carry a maximum potential sentence of 80 years in prison.

NY State Police Sergeant Charged with Sexual Exploitation of Minors — Photo: nbcnewyork.com

“These alleged acts are a profound betrayal of the public trust and the oath he swore to uphold,” said U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald.

McDonald emphasized that Calderon’s position as a sworn officer made his alleged crimes all the more egregious. “The defendant’s alleged acts are a profound betrayal of the public trust and the oath he swore to uphold,” she stated. New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James echoed this sentiment, calling the allegations “deeply disturbing and stand in direct opposition to the oath every member of the New York State Police takes to protect and serve.”

The Unraveling of a Double Life

The investigation into Calderon began not with a tip about child exploitation, but with an unrelated domestic violence incident. On October 25, 2026, Calderon was arrested in the Town of Crawford and charged with second- and third-degree assault. The arrest led to a search of his residence, where authorities discovered electronic surveillance equipment and storage devices. A forensic examination of these devices, conducted by the FBI, uncovered thousands of sexually explicit images and videos of children, including prepubescent minors.

Instagram

According to the Southern District of New York’s complaint, on or about July 25, 2026, Calderon surreptitiously recorded a 10-year-old child undressing and then edited the footage to create a short clip depicting her in a sexually explicit manner. The complaint further alleges that on or about February 3, 2023, Calderon recorded a 9-year-old child undressing in the same bathroom and created a sexually explicit screenshot from that video.

A Warning and an Ongoing Search for Justice

FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr., used the case to deliver a stark warning to potential offenders. “This case should serve as a warning: no badge, title, or position will shield those who prey upon children and justice will find you,” he said.

Federal prosecutors have explicitly stated that there may be other victims and have urged the public to come forward with any information. “If you have information to report, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or https://tips.fbi.gov,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. The collaborative effort between the FBI, the Town of Crawford Police Department, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York State Police shows the investigation is serious.

Calderon, who was based at the Middletown state police barracks, is currently detained. His attorney did not wish to make a statement regarding the charges against his client, leaving the public to grapple with the disturbing details presented in the complaint.