Former Cold Spring Public Official And Teacher Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison For Attempted Receipt Of Child Pornography From Former Student

Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that CHARLES HUSTIS, a former town trustee and substitute teacher in Cold Spring, New York, was sentenced to five years in prison for attempted receipt of child pornography from a former student.  CHARLES HUSTIS previously pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel, who imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “Charles Hustis used his social media account to persuade a minor victim and former student to meet with him and perform sexual acts.  In doing so, Charles Hustis repeatedly solicited pornographic pictures from the victim.  This predatory behavior was a betrayal of the trust that the Cold Spring community placed in Charles Hustis, both as a former teacher and as a public official.  Today, he has been sentenced to federal prison.  Our Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners at all levels of government to keep our children safe.”

According to the Information, other court filings (including the complaint), and statements made during court proceedings:

Between at least on or about December 8, 2019, and December 16, 2019, HUSTIS, a former teacher and public official in Cold Spring, New York, communicated over Facebook Messenger with a 16-year-old victim (“Victim-1”).  During these communications, HUSTIS sent Victim-1 sexual images, including photographs of himself, and attempted to arrange a meeting with Victim-1 with the understanding that HUSTIS and Victim-1 would perform various sexual acts.  HUSTIS repeatedly solicited pornographic pictures from Victim-1 while arranging his planned meeting.  HUSTIS was arrested by law enforcement officers on December 16, 2019, after he arrived at a meeting location that he had arranged with Victim-1, expecting to bring Victim-1 back to his apartment for sexual activity.   

In addition to the prison term, CHARLES HUSTIS, 37, of Cold Spring, New York, was sentenced to seven years of supervised release.  On November 19, 2020, HUSTIS pled guilty to one count of attempted receipt of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252A(a)(2)(A) and (b)(1).

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and the Cold Spring Police Department.

The prosecution is being handled by the Office’s White Plains Division.  Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas S. Bradley is in charge of the prosecution.