Sheriff Brian Hess announces the arrest of Joseph J. Filingeri, 33, of Mahopac, New York, on multiple felony charges, including Rape in the Third Degree and Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, following an investigation that uncovered evidence of sexual offenses involving multiple underage girls.
The investigation began late on the night of October 6, 2026, when deputies responded to a report of a missing teenage girl who was believed to be with a 33-year-old man. Deputies located the girl, highly intoxicated, in a vehicle with Filingeri and determined that he had purchased the alcohol. The girl was transported to the hospital for evaluation, and Filingeri was arrested for Unlawful Dealing with a Child and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Following the arrest, the case was turned over to the Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation. After an investigation conducted in coordination with the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office, investigators arrested Filingeri on October 16, 2026.
Filingeri was charged with:
- Facilitating a Sexual Performance by a Child with Alcohol, a Class B felony
- Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, a Class C felony
- Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree (three counts), a Class D felony
- Promoting an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child, a Class D felony
- Rape in the Third Degree, a Class E felony
Filingeri was arraigned in the Town of Carmel Justice Court, where bail was set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $300,000 partially secured bond. He was remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail.
