(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Richard L. Wolffe, Jr., 39, of Bay Shore, for multiple counts of Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child, for allegedly uploading and possessing images and videos of children being sexually abused.
“The fact that prosecutors cannot even ask for bail for consumers of child sexual abuse images and videos is wrong and our lawmakers need to wake up,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Each image in cases like these represents a crime scene and a child whose innocence was violently stolen. Our office will vigorously prosecute anyone who not only exploits our most vulnerable, but those who fuel and feed off of such heinous acts.”
According to the investigation, in August 2022, the Suffolk County Police Department received a tip alleging that Wolffe uploaded child sexual abuse material to cloud storage. On July 27, 2023, during the execution of a search warrant at his residence, investigators allegedly recovered multiple electronic devices, including an external hard drive from a desk in Wolffe’s bedroom. Digital forensic analysis revealed over 5,000 images and videos containing child sexual abuse material involving children under the age of 10 years. Wolffe was arrested on August 23, 2023.
On November 14, 2024, Wolffe was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Karen M. Wilutis, for 20 counts of Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child, Class E felonies.
Justice Wilutis ordered that Wolffe be placed on supervised release. Wolffe was released from jail without bail because the charges of Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child are considered non-bail eligible under current New York State law, meaning prosecutors cannot ask for, and judges cannot set bail.
Wolffe is due back in court on December 20, 2024, and faces up to 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison if convicted on the top count. He is being represented by Peter Brill, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Joseph Mallek of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau, and the investigation was conducted by Detectives Michael Barr, Matthew Corr, and Steven D’Agostino of the Suffolk County Police Department Digital Forensics Unit.