ITHACA — An Ithaca City employee has been charged with felony sex crimes, the Ithaca Police Department announced Wednesday night.

Foster S. Gray, 54, of Auburn, was arrested and charged with four counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child less than 17 years old, a Class D felony, and two counts of attempted dissemination of indecent material to minors in the first degree, a Class E felony, on Wednesday morning, the Ithaca Police said. He was arraigned before Ithaca City Court Judge Judith Rossiter and released to appear with his attorney in court at a later date, they added.

Police said Gray tried to distribute “sexually explicit” videos and photos to people he believed to be females under the age of 15 and engaged in sexually explicit computer chat sessions with females he thought were under 15 “for the purpose of having his intended victims engage in sexual acts.”

Gray was arrested after a 13-month investigation by their department and the state police Computer Crime Unit, the Ithaca Police said. The investigation focused on crimes against children over the Internet, police added.

According to an Environmental Protection Agency Web site that describes the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Plant, a Foster Gray works at the plant.

A city source who wished to remain anonymous confirmed that Gray works for the city.

Police said Gray was arrested on Third Street in Ithaca. The wastewater treatment plant is located at 525 Third St., according to the EPA Web site.

The investigation is continuing, police said, so no further information is available.

Alderman and acting mayor Dan Cogan, D-5th Ward, said he was unaware of the charges and therefore could not comment.

Superintendent of Public Works Bill Gray confirmed that a person by the name of Foster Gray works for the city, and he is no relation.