UTICA — A Utica man who is a registered sex offender has been arrested after allegedly having sexual contact with an underage child and installing hidden surveillance cameras in her bedroom, according to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began when the Oneida County Child Advocacy Center received an anonymous tip about an underage female who had discovered a surveillance camera in her bedroom.
Sheriff’s Investigator Mark R. Chrysler was assigned to the case and during an interview with the child, learned that 40-year-old Keenan Gant had allegedly been subjecting her to sexual contact.
After gathering evidence and obtaining a search warrant with assistance from the Oneida County District Attorney’s Office, authorities searched Gant’s residence on Court Street in Utica on April 15 at 9 a.m.
Investigators discovered several surveillance cameras hidden in areas of the home where there was a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Gant was charged with one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D Felony; Unlawful Surveillance in the Second Degree, a Class E Felony; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A Misdemeanor.
He was processed at the Utica Police Department and transported to the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office, where he was held for arraignment at Utica City Court on April 16.
Following arraignment, Gant was remanded to the Oneida County Correctional Facility without bail.
Oneida County Child Protective Services has been notified and is assisting the child and family.
An Order of Protection has been issued on the child’s behalf, and additional services have been offered to the child and family through the Child Advocacy Center.
