Rome man arrested on child exploitation charges

ROME, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — A Rome man faces child exploitation charges after his arrest on Wednesday, July 23, according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation began when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a report from Microsoft. The report indicated that an unknown individual — later found to be 44-year-old Joseph Cannistra of Rome — had uploaded illicit child exploitation material to their file uploading service.

The Center contacted the New York State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), who sent the case to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Child Advocacy Center. They were able to obtain a search warrant for Cannistra’s Floyd Avenue Residence. Cannistra was also subsequently arrested during the execution of the search warrant.

Cannistra was charged with:

• Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, a Class D Felony.

Cannistra was processed at the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office and later transported to the Oneida County Correctional Facility in Oriskany to be held for arraignment.

At arraignment, Cannistra was remanded to the Oneida County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail. The case has been referred to the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office.

According to Oneida County Sheriffs, further charges are possible.

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