Travis Barr Longo, who described himself as the first drag performer elected to a public school board, resigned Monday after facing federal and state charges.
Mr. Longo, 46, the vice president of the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education in central New York, resigned his seat after being arrested on state child endangerment charges and subsequently charged in federal court with receiving and possessing child pornography.
New York State Police arrested Mr. Longo on Thursday following an investigation into allegations that he engaged in a pattern of sexually explicit digital communications with a child under the age of 12. He faces four counts of endangering the welfare of a child under state law.
Federal prosecutors announced charges two days later after investigators seized Mr. Longo’s cellphone and discovered numerous images and videos of child sexual abuse material, including videos depicting the abuse of infants that Mr. Longo had allegedly received through an internet-based messaging application. Court records obtained by local outlet WSYR-TV also indicated that police recovered additional chats in which Mr. Longo discussed his sexual interest in children, including a minor male child known to him and to whom he had access.
Mr. Longo made an initial virtual appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric on Saturday and was detained pending further proceedings. If convicted on the federal receipt charge alone, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison; both federal counts carry a statutory maximum of 20 years.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III said Mr. Longo “exploited his position of public trust while actively seeking out and accumulating images and videos depicting the heinous sexual abuse of children.”
Mr. Longo was elected to a three-year term on the Cazenovia school board in May 2024. In public appearances, he frequently referenced his drag stage persona, Anita Buffem, and described himself as the first drag performer elected to a school board.
Following the announcement of the charges, the Cazenovia Board of Education issued a statement calling the allegations “shocking” and demanding Mr. Longo’s immediate resignation. Because he held an elected position, the board could not remove him unilaterally without initiating a state-mandated process under New York education law. The board voted unanimously Monday evening to begin formal removal proceedings; Mr. Longo resigned shortly thereafter, according to Superintendent Kevin Linck.
“The Board of Education has been shocked, deeply saddened, and outraged by these serious allegations, and we extend our support and assistance to all children and families involved,” the board said in its statement. “Our charge to protect every student in our District is our moral and ethical duty, along with a responsibility to the sworn oath that is our legal obligation.”
Mr. Longo also founded the Cazenovia Pride Fest. Following his arrest, the organization announced it was dissolving and canceling its upcoming summer festival, saying it would issue full refunds to ticket holders and donors.
The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York as part of Project Safe Childhood, a federal initiative targeting child sexual exploitation. Investigators believe additional victims may exist; anyone with information is asked to contact New York State Police at (315) 366-6000.
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