Man Charged with Hate Crime for Using Social Media in Extortion Scheme

Bath, N.Y. — A Steuben County man has been charged with a hate crime after police said he operated an extortion scheme through social media.

New York State Police reported receiving a complaint on February 6 from a Bath resident who said he was targeted via a dating app.

The victim stated that after exchanging messages and images with an unknown individual, the suspect threatened to publicly reveal sensitive personal information unless the victim provided cash and other valuables.

Police identified Andrew Kidder, 24, of Campbell, as the suspect who created and used fraudulent online accounts to carry out the scheme.

Kidder was arrested Tuesday at his home and charged with attempted grand larceny as a hate crime. He was taken to the Steuben County Jail for arraignment.