Liberty Man Employed by School District Arrested on Child Sexual Exploitation Charges

On May 5, 2025, the New York State Police arrested Christopher A. Dedonato, age 26, of Liberty, NY, on multiple felony charges related to the possession and promotion of obscene material involving children. Dedonato was a math teacher employed by the Liberty School District in Sullivan County.

He is charged with the following:

• Seven counts of Promoting an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child Less Than 17 Years of Age – Class D Felony
• Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child Less Than 16 Years of Age – Class E Felony

Dedonato is accused of possessing and promoting images consistent with child sexual exploitation. The investigation was initiated following a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which led to the execution of a search warrant at Dedonato’s residence in Liberty, NY, on April 22, 2025.

This arrest is the result of a joint investigation conducted by the New York State Police Troop F Computer Crimes Unit, the Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) at Liberty, Troop F Violent Gang Narcotic Enforcement Team, Troop F Community Stabilization Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.

Dedonato was arraigned in Thompson Town Court and remanded to the Sullivan County Jail. Bail was set at $25,000 cash, $50,000 secured bond, or $100,000 partially secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Town of Liberty Court on May 7, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

The New York State Police ask that anyone with additional information related to this case contact the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at (845) 344-5300 and reference case number NY2500299403.