Official: Syracuse University suspended employee who faces 2 child pornography charges

UPDATED: Thursday, Dec. 21 at 12:47 a.m.

Syracuse University has suspended an Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities employee who was arrested Wednesday on two child pornography charges, a university spokesperson said.

Ryan K. Gavigan, 28, was arrested by federal and state law enforcement authorities Wednesday in the suburban town of Clay, just north of Syracuse, police said. He was charged with Possession of a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class “E” felony, and Promoting the Sexual Performance of a child, a class “D” felony, police said.

Gavigan was previously listed as a student conduct advisor on SU’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities webpage. The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities investigates violations of the Code of Student Conduct, which can include sexual assault complaints. Gavigan’s LinkedIn profile also lists “Assistant Residence Director” in the university’s Office of Residence Life as previous work experience.

“The University immediately suspended Mr. Gavigan upon learning of his arrest. We can’t comment further as this is a pending investigation,” the university spokesperson said in a statement.

Members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested Gavigan on Wednesday, according to a press release issued by Troop D of the New York State Police. Officials from the United States Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security serve on the task force.

“The joint investigation determined that Gavigan did share multiple images, depicted as child pornography, with another individual over the internet,” according to the press release.

Gavigan received a master’s degree at SU in “Higher Education/Higher Education Administration,” according to his LinkedIn page. He received a bachelor’s degree in government from Georgetown University, according to his LinkedIn page.

He was scheduled for an arraignment Wednesday afternoon in the Onondaga County Justice Center, according to the Troop D press release.

This post has been updated with additional reporting.