FELONY ARREST IN THE TOWN OF GROVELAND

GROVELAND - Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of a Groveland resident on a felony charge following an investigation by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office.

On March 31^st, 2026, the Sheriff’s Office commenced an investigation into a possible sexual offense that was committed against a child in the Town of Groveland. The Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division launched an investigation into the allegations. It is alleged through the investigation that 35-year-old Derek Getman had sexually abused a child less than eleven years old.

On May 12^th, 2026, Getman was released from the Attica Correctional Facility on unrelated charges, as he is also a New York State Registered Sex Offender. Sheriff’s Investigators arrested and charged Getman upon his release from prison with one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a Class D Felony.

Getman was transported to the Livingston County Jail, where he was turned over to Central Booking Deputies for processing and pre-arraignment detention. Getman was later arraigned at the Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part (LC-CAP) at the Livingston County Jail before Town of West Sparta Justice Mahany. The Judge did remand Getman to the custody of the Sheriff without the possibility of bail due to him having two or more prior felony convictions. 

The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Getman at the court arraignment for his defense. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office was notified and was also present at the court proceeding to represent the People.

The investigation was handled by members of the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and Patrol Division. Assisting with the investigation was the Sheriff’s Office Victim Specialist, the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office and Child Protective Services.