Bethlehem man accused of possessing child sexual exploitation images after cyber tip

Bethlehem, NY (WRGB) — New York State Police arrested a Bethlehem man March 24, 2026, after an investigation into alleged child sexual exploitation images that began with a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

On March 24, 2026, State Police of Latham, with assistance from the Troop G Computer Crimes Unit, the Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, arrested 29-year-old Nathan Cardinale of Bethlehem, New York.

Investigators say Cardinale is accused of promoting and possessing images consistent with child sexual exploitation. Cardinale was charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child, a class D felony, and possessing a sexual performance by a child, a class E felony.

State Police said the arrest followed an investigation and the execution of a search warrant at Cardinale’s residence in Bethlehem on March 24, 2026. The investigation stemmed from a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Cardinale was arrested and processed at State Police Latham, then arraigned in Bethlehem Town Court. He was remanded to the Albany County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash, $20,000 bond or a $40,000 partially secured bond.