This browser does not support the Video element.
Mother of victim in Tacoma child porn case speaks out
Bryant Keith McCullough was arrested on Monday after an investigation by Tacoma Police Department and the FBI. U. S. Attorney Nick Brown said McCullough is "accused of enticing and coercing minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography."
TACOMA, Wash. - Authorities say a 32-year-old Tacoma man, who is a motocross sponsor, is charged with production of child pornography. He is accused of using Snapchat to coerce children into sending sexually explicit photos and videos.
Bryant Keith McCullough was arrested on Monday after an investigation by Tacoma Police Department and the FBI. U. S. Attorney Nick Brown said McCullough is "accused of enticing and coercing minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing child pornography."
According to a criminal complaint, a concerned parent contacted Tacoma police after an image was shared in a group chat of Pierce County motocross parents about an explicit Snapchat message sent to a minor. Law enforcement got a search warrant and searched McCullough's home last month and seized several devices, including a GoPro camera.
In Snapchat, a user is notified when someone saves or screenshots their videos and photos. The videos and photos also disappear after first view, unless saved or recorded.
"Several of the GoPro videos found by law enforcement show McCullough filming a cellphone on which he is viewing sexually explicit images and videos of young males sent to him through Snapchat," authorities said in a news release.
At least one victim told investigators that they had sent McCullough sexually explicit images and videos at the coach's request.
"The victim acknowledged sending the images with the promise that they would receive money, clothing, alcohol, marijuana, and/or preferential treatment regarding motocross coaching," the release said.
"We knew that there was a bigger problem than just the gut feeling I had," said Melissa Compton, whose son rode on McCullough's team.
She said when her son publicly announced he was leaving the team on social media, families started sharing their stories of sexually explicit experiences they had with McCullough.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Tacoma motocross sponsor arrested for child pornography
Authorities say a 32-year-old Tacoma man, who is a motocross sponsor, is charged with production of child pornography. He is accused of using Snapchat to coerce children into sending sexually explicit photos and videos.
"In the last two months, I have hardly slept. The other night, I got up at one o'clock in the morning and sat downstairs and talked to a mom who has kids that are victims and just listened to her cry and let her know that this isn't her fault. This isn't her kid's fault," said Compton.
FOX 13 News spoke to McCullough's defense attorney, Bryan Hershman, about the charges.
"These are very emotional, frankly, disgusting allegations. My client's name is being dragged through the media associated with these allegations," said Hershman.
He says his client is entitled to the presumption of innocence and asks the community to reserve judgment.
"The affidavit in and of itself leaves questions that the defense is going to pursue," he said. "I believe this gentleman is going to be vindicated," he added.
"He’s trying to save his image while he is destroying the dignity and images of these children," said the mother of two children who were allegedly victimized. "As a mom, you sit back and you wonder what red flags were there, what did I not see, what questions did I not ask, and why were my kids not comfortable coming to me and telling me there was something wrong. You feel like a failure."
Production of child pornography has a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison.
McCullough is in custody at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac.
The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.
If you have any information about the case, you can submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov. If you believe your child may have been victimized by this suspect, or if you have additional information regarding these crimes, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or use the P3 Tips app.