Watertown man arrested after state police investigation reveals possession and online distribution of child sexual abuse material

Watertown, New York – A 45-year-old man from Watertown is facing multiple felony charges following a detailed investigation into the online distribution and possession of child sexual abuse material.

The arrest of Joseph J. Holub, a resident of S Hycliff Drive, took place on July 23, 2025, after law enforcement officials from the New York State Police Computer Crimes Unit (CCU) and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) executed an investigative operation at his home.

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Authorities say the investigation was launched after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) provided a cyber tip involving the online sharing of child exploitation material. That tip led investigators to Holub, who was quickly identified as a suspect in the case.

According to state police, Holub was arrested and formally charged with the following crimes:

• One count of promoting a sexual performance by a child less than 17 years of age (Class D felony)
• Two counts of possessing sexual performance by a child less than 16 (Class E felony)

The investigation revealed that Holub had allegedly been in possession of child sexual abuse material and had also distributed exploitative content over the internet. The exact nature and volume of the material have not been made public, but police indicated the charges stem directly from the digital evidence collected during the operation.

“This arrest resulted from an investigation that began with information provided by NCMEC, which found that Holub was in possession of child sexual abuse material and distributing child exploitation material over the internet,” investigators stated.

Following his arrest, Holub was brought before a judge in Watertown City Court and was arraigned on the charges. The court ordered that he be held at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 cash bail, $20,000 secured bond, or $50,000 partially secured bond.

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The New York State Police emphasized the importance of partnerships with national organizations like NCMEC in identifying and stopping individuals involved in the exploitation of minors. The case remains under investigation, and additional charges may be considered depending on the review of seized electronic devices and forensic evidence.

Anyone with further information related to the case or other possible victims is encouraged to contact local law enforcement or submit tips through official state police channels.

The arrest highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to track and stop the online spread of harmful content, especially material involving the abuse and exploitation of children.