SEWARD, N.Y. — New York State Police arrested a convicted sex offender Friday in connection with the alleged assault of a child under 16.
Joseph Hemmes, 39, of Seward, faces charges of forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child. Police say Hemmes allegedly touched the child inappropriately during the summer of 2024 at a home in Seward.
Investigators launched the case after receiving a tip on March 11 about a past sexual assault. The probe revealed Hemmes is a level 2 registered sex offender with a prior conviction involving children.
Troopers arrested Hemmes and processed him at the Cobleskill barracks. He was taken to the Schoharie County Correctional Facility and is being held pending arraignment in Centralized Part Court.
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.
