Child therapist among five men charged in Fishkill child exploitation investigation
Jaime Lucero-Giron, 27, who worked as a child therapist at Thompson Counseling Services, was charged along with four other Hudson Valley men following a State Police undercover operation.
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One of five men charged in a child exploitation investigation in Fishkill worked as a child therapist at a Hudson Valley counseling practice, News 12 has learned.
New York State Police arrested Jaime Lucero-Giron, 27, of New Windsor, following a two-day undercover operation targeting individuals authorities say were attempting to arrange sexual encounters with people they believed were minors.
Lucero-Giron was charged with attempted rape in the second degree.
Following News 12’s initial reporting on the arrests, parents contacted the newsroom, identifying Lucero-Giron as a therapist who had worked with their children through Thompson Counseling Services.
News 12 reached out to the practice for comment. Through its public relations firm, Focus Media, Thompson Counseling Services confirmed Lucero-Giron was employed by the organization in March and resigned effective May 29.
A representative for the practice told News 12 it was unaware of the charges and allegations at the time of his resignation and does not believe the criminal case is connected to the practice, its clients or its operations.
State police say the operation involved the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the FBI Hudson Valley Safe Streets Task Force and Fishkill police.
Authorities say the investigation targeted individuals attempting to arrange sexual encounters with people they believed were minors.
Also arrested were Gerber Flores, 26, of Newburgh; Edwin Soriano Rutilo, 22, of Hopewell Junction; Frank Martinez, 21, of Wappinger; and David Pawlikowski, 43, of Hyde Park.
Flores, Soriano and Pawlikowski were additionally charged with patronizing a person for prostitution in the second degree.
Dutchess County jail records reviewed by News 12 indicate federal immigration-related charges or holds for Flores and Soriano. The records also indicate that at least one of the cases involved an alleged victim under the age of 15.
All five defendants were arraigned in Fishkill Town Court and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center on $50,000 cash bail. They are scheduled to return to court on June 3.
News 12 has reached out to the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office and Fishkill Town Court for additional information and court records related to the case.
