State police arrest five in Erie County online child exploitation investigation

New York – Five people were arrested and charged with attempted rape in the second degree following an online child exploitation investigation in Erie County, according to New York State Police. Authorities also reported a separate arrest involving a federal supervised release violation.

The investigation took place during a two-day operation in early October 2026. Members of the State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force worked alongside investigators from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at SP Clarence, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the Lancaster Police Department.

Four of the five people facing attempted rape charges were arrested on October 2. State Police identified them as Michael J. Soloman, 43, of Tonawanda; Kelly J. Kagel, 38, of Lockport; Anthoney F. Stokes, 47, of Buffalo; and Alexander A. Amarena, 29, of Lockport.

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The fifth person, Joseph D. Boyler, 69, of Tonawanda, was arrested on October 3. Each of those five individuals was charged with attempted rape in the second degree, a Class E felony.

State Police did not provide details about the online exchanges or other evidence that led to the charges. The announcement also did not describe the circumstances surrounding each arrest or identify any children connected to the investigation.

Authorities separately identified Mohammad Mohanuddin, 29, of Buffalo, as having been taken into custody by the FBI on October 4. According to State Police, a warrant was issued after he was found to have violated the conditions of his supervised release with U.S. Probation.

The announcement listed Mohanuddin’s arrest separately from the five attempted rape cases. It did not state that he had been charged with attempted rape in connection with the operation, nor did it explain the nature of the supervised release violation.

The State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigates offenses involving the online exploitation of children. Its work includes cooperation with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to identify and apprehend people who target children online.

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The Erie County operation brought together investigators from each of those levels of law enforcement. Beyond naming the participating agencies, those arrested and the charges, the announcement offered no further information about how the operation was conducted.

State Police are asking anyone with additional information concerning possible criminal activity involving the individuals named to contact investigators. Anyone who believes they may be a victim of these crimes is also encouraged to come forward.

Information can be provided by calling State Police at 585-344-6200 or emailing
[email protected].

The charges against the five defendants are allegations. They are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.