A 38-year-old New York man is behind bars today following a multi-agency investigation that uncovered a cache of illegal weapons and evidence of severe crimes against children.
Sheriff Brian M. Hess announced the arrest of Cory R. Matthews on April 19, 2026, marking the end of a rapid investigation by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
The case began on April 7, when authorities received a tip about a social media user distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Investigators quickly tracked the electronic trail to Matthews, gathering enough evidence to secure a search warrant for his residence.
When investigators moved in on April 16, they found more than just digital evidence. Inside the home, police discovered an illegal firearm and a high-capacity magazine.
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As the forensic team combed through the evidence, the scale of the case grew. By April 19, additional evidence surfaced that led to a litany of felony sex crime charges.
Matthews now faces a long list of serious counts, including Predatory Sexual Assault Against a Child, First-Degree Rape, and First-Degree Incest. He is also charged with two counts of using a child in a sexual performance, multiple counts of promoting and possessing such material, and felony weapons charges.
Sheriff Hess noted that the swift resolution of the case was a collaborative effort, thanking the Carmel and Kent Police Departments for their support.
“Crimes committed against children are among the most heinous crimes we encounter,” Hess said. “I commend our Bureau of Criminal Investigations for their swift and thorough work in bringing this individual into custody.”
Following his initial arraignment in the Town of Putnam Valley Court and a subsequent appearance in the Town of Kent Court on the updated charges, Matthews was remanded to the Putnam County Correctional Facility.
He is currently being held without bail.
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