Sheriff Schenck: Seneca Falls Man Among Three Arrested in Case Linked to Auburn Suicide

Two more men have been arrested in connection with a child sexual exploitation investigation that led to a suicide in Melone Village on Aug. 8. John E. Steinruck, 59, of Seneca Falls, and Junayd M. Abdulkhafid, 42, of Syracuse, were charged with attempted criminal sexual act in the second degree after they attempted to pay for sex with what they thought was a 14-year-old girl, but was actually an undercover police officer.

The operation previously led to the arrest of Wilver O. Laparra-Gonzalez, 34, and the suicide of Scott R. Demonte, 51, who shot himself after pointing a gun at police during the operation. Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck, who led the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, confirmed that Demonte was a self-inflicted fatality and that the officers’ actions were justified. He spoke about it at length on Inside the FLX this morning.

Sheriff Schenck emphasized the continued efforts to protect children and noted the disturbing prevalence of child molesters in the community.

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