Kyle Higley

A Cattaraugus County man has been arrested for allegedly trying to have sex with a Chautauqua County minor.

According to the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office, the Criminal Investigation Division initiated an investigation into alleged sexual offenses in the southern end of the county. Through investigation, a suspect was identified as Kyle Higley, 35, of Olean.

It is alleged that Higley repeatedly provided a minor victim with financial compensation in return for explicit images via digital device. Higley also allegedly attempted to meet the minor victim several times to engage in sexual acts after being informed the victim was in fact a minor.

On Wednesday Higley turned himself into investigators at the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office. He was transported to the Chautauqua County Jail for centralized arraignment.

Higley was charged with Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance – a class C Felony. He will answer for his charges in the Chautauqua County Supreme Court.

The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting children from online exploitation, and to holding offenders accountable. Working closely with our local, state, and federal partners, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office is utilizing advanced technology and any other available investigative resource to identify, track, and arrest those who target children. The message is clear – people who exploit children will be found and brought to justice.