A firefighter in the towns of Delmar and Loudonville has been arrested after a two-week investigation concerning alleged inappropriate communications online.
Police said Timothy M. Haverly, 32, of 28 West Poplar Drive in Delmar, had allegedly engaged in inappropriate online involvement with a person he perceived to be a 13-year-old girl. Local detectives were notified of an investigation already under way by police in Fairfax, Va.
During the two-week investigation, Haverly allegedly spoke with undercover officers in both Bethlehem and Fairfax, whom he believed to be underage girls.
Detective Sgt. Adam Hornick said police are awaiting a search warrant on Haverly’s computer.
“We will be looking into if any of the images found contain local individuals,” said Hornick.
Police are also investigating if Haverly possibly had physical contact with any local underage individuals.
According to court documents, Haverly first began chatting with a person he believed to be a 13-year- old girl in Virginia on March 19. The conversation became sexual in nature, and Haverly allegedly sent a video of himself masturbating to the “girl.”
On March 20, court documents said Haverly again began to send online messages to a girl he thought to be 13. He allegedly then sent sexual images to the “girl.”
“Specifically, Haverly did send images of his penis to solicit the female to engage in a sexual behavior by masturbating,” read the court document.
On March 28, police said Haverly engaged in a conversation sexual in nature with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. During that incident, court documents showed Haverly allegedly invited the girl to a hotel room to “share the bed.”
Bethlehem police did not say what led Fairfax police to begin their investigation into Haverly’s alleged activities.
On the day of his arrest, Haverly was allegedly found to be in the possession of a still photograph on his computer of a girl in between the ages of 9 to 12 in a sexually compromising position. Court documents also showed he was in the possession of a dagger, a “dangerous knife,” a dirk, a stiletto knife, an imitation pistol, two 12-inch daggers found in his bedroom, more than 16 grams of marijuana and a pipe.
Haverly was charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child, possessing a sexual performance by a child, and attempted disseminating indecent materials to minors, all felonies. He was also charged with criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, and attempted endangering the welfare of a child, both misdemeanors, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.
After being arraigned in Bethlehem Town Court, Haverly was remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility without bail.
The Delmar Fire Department posted a comment on their website, which said it had accepted a resignation by a family member on Haverly’s behalf. It also said the department was “shocked and disappointed” about the arrest.
Haverly, who has been working as a paid firefighter with the Shaker Road Loudonville Fire Department, has been suspended from his job pending the outcome of his trial, according a release from David Leonardo, chief officer.
Haverly appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Monday, April 7, where he was released on $50,000 bond under special conditions due to the nature of his charges.
Under the direction of Judge Ryan Donovan, Haverly’s conditions include having no contact with minors or residing with them. He also cannot be within 1,000 feet of a school, possess pornography or weapons, use the computer or the internet, or leave the house overnight. Donovan said Haverly must undergo a mental evaluation and must check in with his probation officer every day.
Cheryl Coleman, Haverly’s attorney, said to remember anyone arrested is presumed innocent until proven guilty. “It is also important to note Mr. Haverly is not accused of any contact with a minor,” she said.
The case was waived up to a grand jury.
Due to Haverly’s employment as a firefighter with the Shaker Road Loudonville Fire Department and Delmar Fire Department, Bethlehem police detectives are asking anyone who may have additional information to contact them at 439-9973.