Sheriff Brian Hess announces the arrest of Mario R. Leiva, 22, of Patterson, New York, following an investigation into the sharing of child sexual abuse material conducted by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI).
On May 7, 2026, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received a CyberTipline Report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding the online distribution of suspected child sexual abuse material through the social media platform Snapchat.
Following an investigation, investigators identified Mario R. Leiva as the suspect.
On June 7, 2026, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Leiva was taken into custody in the Town of Patterson without incident. Investigators subsequently executed a court-authorized search warrant at his residence. During the search, investigators seized several electronic devices.
Leiva was charged with:
- Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child Less Than 17 – Class D Felony
- Two Counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child – Class E Felonies
Leiva was arraigned in the Town of Patterson Justice Court and released on his own recognizance.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office thanks Homeland Security Investigations – New York’s Hudson Valley Office and the Putnam County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance during the investigation.
