ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. — New York State Police, in partnership with the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Ramapo Police Department, arrested five men in a single day across Rockland County for separate sex offenses involving minors, marking a disturbing surge in attempted child exploitation cases. The operation, which took place over several days, resulted in the identification and apprehension of multiple suspects engaged in illegal activities related to child exploitation and trafficking.
On April 7, 2025, between early afternoon and late evening, law enforcement officers from the Haverstraw and Monroe stations apprehended the suspects in incidents all tied to the Village of Montebello. The arrests involved attempted rape, dissemination of indecent material to minors, and other charges centered on endangering children.
Each defendant was charged and processed for central arraignment. The incidents appear to be separate, yet all involved similar disturbing behavior and intent.
Carl William Ellis, 55 – Maplewood, N.J.
Ellis was the first suspect arrested at 1:22 p.m. He faces four charges, including:
- Attempted Rape in the Second Degree (PL 130.30 02 E): A felony charge for an adult engaging in oral sexual contact with a person under 15.
- Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree (PL 235.22 E): A felony for attempting to expose explicit material to a minor.
- Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree (PL 220.03 A): A misdemeanor.
- Acting in a Manner to Injure a Child Under 17 (PL 260.10 01 B): An attempted misdemeanor.
Remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, $150,000 partially secured bond and ordered to appear in Montebello Village Court on April 11, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Yessachar Dov Klahr, 51 – Monsey, N.Y.
Klahr was arrested at 6:04 p.m. He faces three charges:
- Attempted Rape in the First Degree (PL 130.35 01D C): A felony for an adult attempting vaginal sexual contact with a person under 13.
- Patronizing a Person for Prostitution in the Third Degree (PL 230.04 A): A misdemeanor.
- Acting in a Manner to Injure a Child Under 17: An attempted misdemeanor.
Remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $7,500 cash, $15,000 bond, $30,000 partially secured bond and ordered to appear in Montebello Village Court on April 11, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Adrian Rosas, 33 – Stony Point, N.Y.
Rosas was taken into custody at 8:10 p.m., with the report filed 26 minutes later. He is charged with:
- Attempted Rape in the First Degree: Same statute as Klahr.
- Attempted misdemeanor child endangerment.
Remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash, $20,000 bond, $30,000 partially secured bond and ordered to appear in Montebello Village Court on April 11, 2025, at 3:00 p.m
Diego Patricio Pachar Corte, 38 – Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.
Corte’s arrest occurred at 10:14 p.m. He faces the same charges as Ellis, except for the drug possession. His charges include:
- Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors.
- Attempted Rape in the Second Degree: Oral sexual contact with a person under 15.
- Attempted misdemeanor child endangerment.
Remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, $150,000 partially secured bond and ordered to appear in Montebello Village Court on April 11, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Nayib J. Valdivia, 33 – Ossining, N.Y.
Valdivia was the last suspect arrested that day. Officers at the Monroe station booked him at 11:00 p.m. He faces:
- Attempted Dissemination of Indecent Material to Minors.
- Attempted child endangerment.
Remanded to the Rockland County Jail in lieu of $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, $150,000 partially secured bond and ordered to appear in Montebello Village Court on April 11, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
Pattern or Coincidence?
All incidents took place on April 7, 2025, in Montebello, a village in Rockland County. While police have not confirmed whether the arrests stemmed from a coordinated sting, the similarities are hard to ignore. All defendants were adults. All victims were minors under 17. And all charges involved either attempted sexual contact or exposure to explicit material.
The suspects, who range in age from 33 to 55, reside in various towns across New York and New Jersey. Each man was sent to central arraignment, and bail amounts were not made public.
The frequency and severity of these charges reflect a growing threat to child safety in the region. Authorities have not released further details about the minors involved or the investigative methods used.
Legal Ramifications
The felony charges levied against these men are serious. Attempted rape in the first and second degrees can carry lengthy prison sentences if convictions follow. Disseminating indecent material to minors is also a felony that reflects intent to groom or exploit. Even the misdemeanor charges—though lesser in penalty—underline the accused’s intent to harm or manipulate minors.
If prosecuted to the full extent of the law, these men could face years behind bars. The charges fall under New York State Penal Law and include specific statutes designed to protect minors from sexual exploitation.
Community Impact
The arrests have rattled Montebello residents. A cluster of high-level sex offense arrests in one village within a single day raises public concern. While officials have not released comment, the nature of the charges is likely to lead to increased scrutiny of internet communications, social media platforms, and local awareness campaigns.
Child advocacy groups are expected to push for transparency in ongoing investigations and may call for stiffer penalties or public registries, especially in light of the similarity among the cases.
The operation
The operation, which took place over several days, resulted in the identification and apprehension of multiple suspects engaged in illegal activities related to child exploitation and trafficking. The detail deployed highly trained Investigators to infiltrate online platforms where these crimes are often facilitated. Utilizing advanced cyber tactics, Investigators were able to identify individuals attempting to exploit vulnerable children through the internet and meet them in person.
Police reports list each arrest as an “adult arrest,” with the defendant awaiting arraignment. As of publication, no further updates have been given.
Conclusion
These arrests should serve as a wake-up call for Rockland County and beyond. The consistent nature of the offenses, combined with the short timeframe and narrow geographic range, underscores a pressing danger to vulnerable populations.
Law enforcement acted swiftly, but it remains to be seen whether this was an isolated event or the tip of a much larger problem. Either way, the stakes are high—and so is public interest in holding predators accountable.
Legal Disclaimer:
All individuals mentioned in this article are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The charges described are based on arrest records and allegations provided by law enforcement at the time of reporting. Details may change as investigations continue or legal proceedings unfold.
Mathew Alvarez joined Rockland Daily News as a reporter in March 2020, but he’s no stranger to Rockland County. He grew up in New City and graduated from Ball State’s College of Communication, Information, and Media.
