KINGSTON – A child predator
identification and enforcement operation in Ulster County has resulted
in eight arrests and Sheriff Paul VanBlarcum said it is an ongoing investigation.
All eight solicited an arrangement to have sex with a minor child and
then were met by undercover police officers instead.
The arrests were made early this month.
Charged were:
• Eric Decker, 42, of Kingston, charged with attempted criminal
sexual act and attempted disseminating indecent material to minors, both
felonies
• Michael Sweeney, 51, of Kingston, charged with attempted criminal
sexual act as a felony
• Ian Troxell, 38, of Woodstock, charged with attempted criminal
sexual act as a felony
• Michael Minnerly, 19, of Clinton Corners, charged with attempted
rape as a felony
• Travis Sammeth, 34, of Newburgh, charged with attempted criminal
sexual act as a felony
• Elroy Gould III, 46, of Unionville, charged with attempted rape,
attempted criminal sexual act, both as felonies, and patronizing a prostitute
• Joseph Simon, 36, of Kingston, charged with attempted criminal
sexual act as a felony
• Dana Tompkins, 59, of Rhinebeck, charged with felony attempted
rape
The investigation involved The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, FBI
Child Exploitation Task Force, Town of Ulster Police, the Ulster Regional
Gang Enforcement Narcotics Team, and State Police.
