Cross-Country Predator Sting: How Preston Purdy Was Intercepted Flying to Upstate New York to Abuse Children

What Investigators Found at the Decoy House

Around 12:15 p.m. on Monday, members of New York State Predator Hunters contacted the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office to report that a suspect had arrived at their decoy residence. When Purdy entered the property, he allegedly shared disturbing details of his intentions with the operators and was found in possession of incriminating digital material—including images of child sexual abuse material (CSAM)—alongside a chilling assortment of physical items prepared for the encounter:

• Restraints: Zip ties brought to immobilize victims.

• Intoxicants: Vodka and marijuana.

• Paraphernalia: Sex toys intended for use during the planned assaults.

Criminal Charges and Judicial Proceedings

Following the 911 call from the decoy house, Saratoga County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Malta property, secured the evidence, and placed Purdy under arrest. Because the alleged crimes involved interstate travel and explicit plans involving prepubescent children, prosecutors filed severe felony counts.

Purdy was formally charged with five Class C violent felonies under New York Penal Law:

1. Four counts of Attempted Rape in the First Degree: Stemming from allegations that he attempted to engage in vaginal and anal sexual contact with two children through forcible compulsion.

2. One count of Attempted Aggravated Sexual Abuse in the First Degree: Stemming from allegations that he attempted to insert a foreign object into a child’s rectum through forcible compulsion, which would result in physical injury.

Following his processing, Purdy was arraigned in Malta Town Court before Judge Ellwood A. Sloat Jr. and was remanded to the Saratoga County Jail pending further court proceedings and potential grand jury action.

Law Enforcement Reaction and Public Safety Warnings

In the wake of the arrest, Saratoga County Sheriff Jeffrey R. Brown issued a stark public statement emphasizing the gravity of the plot and the ongoing threat posed by online predators who use mainstream social platforms and messaging apps to target families.

“To say that Purdy’s intentions were unspeakable, horrifying, and send a chill down every parent’s spine is a major understatement. This case truly demonstrates the worst of the worst.”

— Sheriff Jeffrey R. Brown, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office

The case also highlights the complex, increasingly common intersection between civilian “predator-hunting” organizations and sworn law enforcement agencies:

• Rapid Evidence Preservation: Unlike amateur confrontations that risk tainting evidence or allowing suspects to flee, the Malta operation involved an immediate handoff to county detectives, enabling deputies to seize Purdy’s electronic devices and physical bags at the scene before digital logs could be wiped.

• Interstate Jurisdiction: Because Purdy traveled from Boulder, Colorado, to Upstate New York with the intent to commit felony sex offenses against minors, the ongoing investigation also opens the door to potential federal scrutiny regarding interstate travel for illicit sexual conduct.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who was arrested in the Malta, New York child predator sting?

Preston G. Purdy, 42, of Boulder, Colorado, was arrested on November 9, 2026, after flying from Colorado to Upstate New York to meet three children at a short-term rental house in Malta.

Were any real children harmed during the incident?

No. Law enforcement confirmed that the three children—whose ages were given online as 11, 8, and 3—were entirely fictional personas created as part of an undercover decoy operation conducted by New York State Predator Hunters.

What felony charges does Preston G. Purdy face in New York?

Purdy has been charged with four counts of attempted rape in the first degree and one count of attempted aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree, all Class C felonies in New York State.

What items did police say the suspect brought to the rental property?

According to authorities and the civilian sting group that alerted police, Purdy arrived at the Malta property with zip ties, sex toys, vodka, marijuana, and images of child pornography on his device.

Conclusion

The interception of Preston G. Purdy in Malta, New York, serves as a sobering case study in how modern predator networks operate—and how swiftly digital footprints can lead to felony prosecution. By flying more than 1,700 miles from Boulder, Colorado, with restraints and paraphernalia in tow, Purdy demonstrated a level of premeditation that alarmed even veteran investigators. As the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office continues its forensic examination of his devices, the case stands as a stark warning to parents about online vigilance and a reminder that crossing state lines offers no shield from law enforcement accountability.

Colorado man accused of traveling to New York State to meet children for sex

This local broadcast report from CBS6 Albany covers the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office briefing and the felony charges filed against Preston G. Purdy following the Malta sting operation.