“This is a very disturbing case that started with one brave victim coming forward, and our investigation continues to uncover predatory behavior by this defendant against additional victims,” District Attorney Sini said. “He used social media as a hunting ground and lured these young girls into his scheme, using cash payments in exchange for his twisted, ever-increasing demands. While his scheme has effectively been shut down by this investigation, we know there are many others out there just like him who are using social media to prey upon vulnerable, unsuspecting young victims, so I once again implore parents to monitor your child’s cell phone use and talk to them about the dangers of interacting with strangers on these apps.”
Bradley Garyn, 27, is charged with four counts of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, a class C felony; four counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class D felony; four counts of Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree, a class D felony; three counts of Coercion in the First Degree, a class D felony; Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class E felony; five counts of Criminal Solicitation in the Third Degree, a class E felony; Criminal Solicitation in the Fourth Degree, a class A misdemeanor; and five counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor.
The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with the Suffolk County Police Department’s Computer Crimes Unit, began an investigation in September 2020 following a report to law enforcement that Garyn had allegedly coerced a juvenile female victim into providing him with explicit photographs and videos via Snapchat.
The investigation revealed evidence that Garyn would allegedly contact juvenile females on Snapchat under multiple usernames, including “ipay4feetpics,” “paying4feetpics” and “PayU4Selfies,” and offer them $10 payment in exchange for “selfies” or photographs of their feet. Upon receipt of the photos, Garyn allegedly paid the victims electronically via mobile payment apps, including Cash App, or in Amazon gift certificates.
After establishing communication with the victims, Garyn allegedly solicited increasingly explicit photographs and videos in exchange for higher amounts of money, up to $500. In one instance, Garyn allegedly coerced a victim into sending him sexually explicit photographs and video by threatening to disseminate intimate images of her in his possession, a tactic known as “sextortion.”
Garyn was arrested on Dec. 3, 2020, at which time law enforcement executed search warrants to seize various computer equipment and cell phones in his possession. An analysis of those devices is ongoing. Pursuant to the investigation, law enforcement also recovered Garyn’s Amazon account history, which included the purchase of approximately 900 Amazon gift codes sent to more than 200 different recipients.
Garyn was indicted on charges pertaining to five victims; however the investigation has revealed evidence of additional alleged victims and is ongoing. District Attorney Sini urges any additional victims to contact the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office by calling 631-853-4161 or emailing InfoDA@suffolkcountyny.gov.
Garyn was arraigned on the 27-count indictment yesterday in front of Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Chris Ann Kelley and bail was set at $300,000 cash, $500,000 bond, or $1 million partially-secured bond. He is being represented by Ira Weissman and is due back in court on April 23.
If convicted of the top counts of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, Garyn faces a maximum consecutive sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Anne E. Oh, of the Enhanced Prosecution Bureau.
A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.