68-Year-Old Milton Resident Arrested in Middletown for Attempted Sexual Misconduct with Minor

Matthew Hersh, a 68-year-old resident of Milton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators say he attempted to arrange a sexual meeting with someone he believed to be a minor. The arrest and charges highlight enforcement of online-crime statutes and raise questions about community safety and parental vigilance across Orange County.

State police say the investigation began on January 12, 2026, when Hersh allegedly communicated with an individual he believed to be a minor and attempted to arrange a meeting to engage in inappropriate sexual conduct. On January 16, 2026, Hersh traveled to a motel in Middletown where he had agreed to meet the minor. He was arrested without incident by the New York State Police Troop F Computer Crimes Unit, in collaboration with the Community Stabilization Unit, and transported to state police headquarters in Middletown for processing.

Hersh faces charges of attempted rape in the second degree, a class D felony, and attempted endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor. He was arraigned in City of Middletown Court. Bail was set at $5,000 cash, $10,000 secured bond, or $10,000 partially secured bond. Hersh was scheduled to return to City of Middletown Court on January 21, 2026, for further proceedings.

This case underscores how local law enforcement is using specialized units to respond to alleged online predation. The involvement of Troop F’s Computer Crimes Unit signals a focus on digital evidence and sting operations; the Community Stabilization Unit’s role reflects coordination intended to reduce recurring threats in Middletown and surrounding communities. For residents, the episode is a reminder that investigations of alleged sexual misconduct increasingly unfold through online communication, then transition to in-person enforcement.

For parents and caregivers in Orange County, the arrest is likely to prompt renewed attention to monitoring children’s online interactions and reviewing privacy and safety tools on social platforms. For civic leaders and elected officials, the incident may revive discussions about funding for technology-focused investigative units, school-based digital safety education, and pretrial policy, including how bail and bond are set in cases involving alleged sexual offenses against minors.

The criminal case against Matthew Hersh remains active. Court dates and formal filings will determine whether the charges advance to trial. For now, the arrest represents a coordinated response by state police to an alleged attempt to exploit an online contact, and it places online child safety and law enforcement capacity back at the center of community conversation in Middletown and Milton.