A high-ranking New York State Police official has been suspended without pay while the Federal Bureau of Investigation takes over an inquiry into whether he downloaded sexually explicit images of children. Lt. Col. Jared W. Duffy, who serves as chief of staff to State Police Superintendent Steven G. James, was placed on unpaid leave following weeks of scrutiny that began with a tip from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
The investigation into Duffy, a 48-year-old veteran of the agency who joined the force in 2002, gained momentum after an old social media account he created in 2009 was allegedly hijacked. According to documents and analysis shared by his brother, Buffalo attorney Trevor Duffy, the dormant X account became active in September after a former Yahoo email address once used to establish it was compromised.
Around September 22, approximately ten days after the email and social media credentials were allegedly lost, the inactive X account began posting and promoting illicit content. Archived data indicates the account published five posts followed by 22 additional posts and retweets over a nearly 12-hour window. Investigators found that the activity was coordinated with eight other online accounts, which helped amplify the material.
The suspicious online activity triggered a tip to law enforcement, prompting the State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to obtain a court-authorized search warrant. Early last week, investigators searched Duffy’s Albany residence off Osborne Road. During the search, a K9 unit located a laptop that authorities seized alongside other electronic devices. While initial law enforcement sources noted the laptop was not in plain sight, Trevor Duffy clarified that the device was stored in a junk drawer containing old cellular phones and unused electronics rather than being intentionally hidden.
Duffy was interviewed by State Police investigators and submitted to a polygraph examination last week. Law enforcement sources familiar with the matter indicated that Duffy passed the polygraph test. An initial review of his seized electronic devices reportedly revealed no evidence of sexually explicit images of children, and investigators found no immediate proof to refute his assertion that his accounts had been hacked.
Following the residential search, Duffy was transported to Rensselaer County, where investigators questioned him after clearing personnel not involved in the case from the barracks. He briefly returned to work on Wednesday morning to gather personal belongings from his office before departing.
State Police Superintendent Steven G. James, who was appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in February 2024, was informed of the investigation from its outset. Last week, State Police officials requested that the FBI adopt the probe. Sarah Ruane, a spokeswoman for the FBI’s Albany field office, confirmed on Sunday that the federal agency had taken over the case.
“The New York State Police contacted FBI Albany last request we adopt this investigation,” Ruane said, declining to comment further on the ongoing matter. Prior to the federal takeover, the State Police suspended Duffy without pay, though it remained unclear whether that disciplinary measure stemmed from the criminal investigation or separate internal suspicions that Duffy had leaked investigative details to the press—a claim family members denied.
Duffy has risen through the ranks since joining the agency, serving in Troop B, Troop F, Troop G, and at the State Police Academy in Albany. His previous assignments at Division Headquarters include serving as a lieutenant in Planning and Research, staff inspector, and executive assistant to the superintendent before overseeing special projects for the current superintendent.
No criminal charges have been filed against Duffy as the federal investigation continues.
