Boys and Girls Club Employee Arrested on Child Porn Charges

A Boys and Girls Clubs employee stationed at the Parkway Recreation Center in Utica is under arrest for alleged possession of child pornography.

After executing a search warrant at a home on Noyes Street investigators say they spoke with one of the residents and seized computer equipment.

24-Year old Patrick Abel was taken into custody and now faces charges of possessing a sexual performance by a child (class E felony) and promoting a sexual performance by a child (class D felony).

Abel was immediately identified as an employee of the Boys and Girls Club of the Mohawk Valley, housed at the Edward A. Hanna Parkway Recreation Center at 220 Memorial Parkway in Utica, New York.

Utica Police say that officials with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mohawk Valley and "Parkway Rec" have been cooperative.

While there is no evidence that Abel had contact deemed inappropriate with any child who participated in activities at the center, anyone with information or concerns about such activities is asked to call Utica Police immediately.  Police are reiterating that this is being "done out of an overabundance of caution."

To that point Utica Police Sergeant Steve Hauck says that all of the agencies involved, including the City of Utica's Youth Bureau, have been extremely cooperative and all have stated the importance of making certain that children are protected.

Hauck says it appears to have been an isolated case and, although he cannot say what tipped them off to the illegal activity, believes that it was not part of a bigger pornography ring.

Nonetheless, Hauck says, "Whenever you are dealing with this type of crime you have to act very cautiously."

Abel is being held at the Oneida County Jail and is expected to appear in court to answer the charges on Monday, January 20, 2014.