Buffalo Ledger

Casey Medina, a 33-year-old trainee with the Avon Police Department, faces serious charges including attempted kidnapping, cyberstalking, and child pornography-related offenses. U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced the charges which could result in a minimum of five years to a maximum of 20 years imprisonment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford is overseeing the case. She detailed that in May 2024, a woman reported receiving threatening messages from unknown numbers with altered pornographic images featuring her face. These messages included threats of kidnapping and sexual violence. The harassment persisted sporadically through June and July.

In August, authorities received information about an individual using the username “crcdal” on social media, who was later identified as Medina. He allegedly sought assistance in harassing the victim by providing her personal details to another individual online. Conversations between Medina and this person included discussions about abducting and harming the victim.

On August 22, Medina was apprehended at the Rural Police Training Academy by Onondaga County Sheriff's Office officers on various state charges. A search of his phone revealed communications regarding plans to harm the victim along with child pornography content that he distributed online.

The investigation involved cooperation between the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office under Sheriff Tobias Shelley and the FBI led by Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

It is important to note that while charges have been filed against Medina, these are allegations at this stage and he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.