On March 10, 2026, the New York State Police arrested Steven A. Tavani, age 19, of Watertown, on multiple felony charges related to child sexual exploitation.
Tavani was charged with one count of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (class D felony) and one count of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child (class E felony).
The investigation stemmed from an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation involving the transmission of child sexual abuse material over the internet. The arrest was the result of a joint investigation conducted by members of the Troop D Computer Crimes Unit, the State Police Watertown Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in Albany.
As part of the investigation, a search warrant was executed at Tavani’s residence in the city of Watertown. Multiple electronic devices belonging to Tavani were seized and submitted for forensic examination. Following forensic analysis, investigators determined the devices contained images and videos depicting child sexual exploitation material.
Tavani was transported to the Jefferson County CAP Court for arraignment, where he was remanded to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility in lieu of $5,000 cash, $10,000 bond, or $20,000 partially secured bond.