Sheriff Brian M. Hess announces the arrest of Cory R. Matthews, age 38, of the Town of Kent, New York, following a swift and thorough investigation conducted by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
On April 7, 2026, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding an individual who was allegedly in possession of and distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material through social media and electronic communications.
During the course of the investigation, members of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations identified Cory R. Matthews as the suspect and developed evidence indicating that he possessed and promoted Child Sexual Abuse Material. On April 16, 2026, investigators executed a search warrant at Matthews’ residence. During the investigation, Matthews was also found to be in possession of an illegal firearm and high-capacity magazine.
On April 19, 2026, further investigation revealed additional evidence leading to more felony sex crime charges.
Matthews was arrested and arraigned in the Town of Putnam Valley Court on the initial charges. He was later arraigned on the additional charges in the Town of Kent Court and remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility without bail.
Matthews has been charged with the following:
- Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child
- Rape in the First Degree
- Incest in the First Degree
- Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance (2 counts)
- Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (multiple counts)
- Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child (multiple counts)
- Criminal Possession of a Firearm
- Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Carmel Police Department and the Town of Kent Police Department for their assistance during this investigation.
“Sex crimes committed against children are among the most heinous crimes we encounter. I commend our Bureau of Criminal Investigations for their swift and thorough work in bringing this individual into custody,” said Sheriff Hess.
