Drag queen school board vice president arrested on child pornography and endangerment charges

Note: This article contains descriptions of graphic content.

A New York school board vice-president who called himself the first drag queen elected to a public school board has been arrested on charges of sexual misconduct against children.

Travis Barr Longo, 46, was arrested by the New York State Police following an investigation into allegations that he engaged in a pattern of sexually explicit digital communications with a child under the age of 12. Longo, who serves as vice president of the Cazenovia Central School District Board of Education, faces four counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Longo made a virtual federal court appearance on Saturday on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. The district is located in the center of New York state.

Investigators uncovered "numerous images and videos of child pornography" during a search of Longo's cell phone on June 18, "including several videos depicting the sexual abuse of infants that Longo had received from other users of an internet-based messaging application," the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement.

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Travis J. Longo served as the Vice President of the Cazenovia Central School District’s Board of Education. (istock/New York State Police)

According to court records obtained by WSYR-TV, police also "recovered other chats on the device in which Longo discussed with other individuals his sexual interest in children, including a minor male child known to him and to whom he has had access."

If convicted, Longo faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison.

Longo was elected to a three-year term on the school board in May 2024. 

In media appearances and speaking events, he often references his stage persona, Anita Buffem, and is frequently described as the first drag performer elected to a school board.

Following the announcement of the charges, the Cazenovia Board of Education issued a statement demanding Longo’s immediate resignation. Longo resigned from the board on Monday evening, according to a post by Cazenovia Schools Superintendent Kevin Linck.

The New York school district board member was also a drag performer. (istock via Getty Images)

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The board had said in a statement before his resignation that it had intended to pursue his removal.

"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 statement continued. "Our response reflects the Board of Education’s deep and unwavering commitment to every child’s safety, and well being. 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."

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The Cazenovia Board of Education unanimously voted on Monday evening to begin proceedings to remove Longo from the board. Longo then resigned. (Jeffrey Basinger/Newsday RM via Getty Images))

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"We stand strong in condemning these alleged actions, while also acknowledging that it is the responsibility of the judicial system to determine guilt or innocence. We appreciate all of the hard work of law enforcement, and their partnership with us in protecting our students," the board's statement continued.

The Cazenovia Board of Education did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.