Malta, NY – On Monday afternoon, deputies from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office responded to a disturbance call on Manning Road in the town of Malta. The call led to the arrest of 42‑year‑old Preston Purdy of Boulder, Colorado, who had traveled to the area as part of a private child‑predator sting operation.

Charges and Allegations

According to the sheriff’s office, the caller reported that a man arrived at a decoy house with child sexual abuse material and sought to engage in sexual activity with three children, ages three, eight and eleven. After a swift investigation, Purdy was taken into custody and charged with four counts of attempted first‑degree rape and attempted first‑degree aggravated sexual abuse, all classified as class C felonies.

Investigators say Purdy attempted to force sexual acts involving two of the children and also tried to commit an additional act of aggravated sexual abuse that would have caused injury. The sheriff’s office determined that Purdy flew from Colorado to the Saratoga County area with the explicit intent to exploit children.

Sheriff’s Statement

Sheriff Jeffrey R. Brown said, “To say that Purdy’s intentions were unspeakable, horrifying and send a chill down every parent’s spine is a major understatement. This case truly demonstrates the worst of the worst.” He added that the operation highlights the importance of vigilant law‑enforcement partnerships with community members to safeguard children.

Legal Proceedings

Purdy was arraigned before Malta Town Court Judge Ellwood A. Sloat Jr. and was remanded to the Saratoga County Jail pending further court proceedings. The investigation remains ongoing, and the sheriff’s office has urged anyone with information about similar activities to contact authorities immediately.

Community Impact

The arrest has resonated deeply with local families, who praised the swift action taken by law‑enforcement. Parents in Malta and the surrounding areas expressed relief that the sheriff’s office acted decisively to protect children from predatory threats.

Local officials reiterated their commitment to maintaining a safe environment for all residents, emphasizing that protecting the innocence of children is a core responsibility of the community and its law‑enforcement partners.

Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.