Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy D. Sini has announced the arrest of a Melville man for the alleged solicitation of child pornography on social media and coercion of a juvenile victim through “sextortion.”
Bradley Garyn, 27, is charged with Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, a class C felony; Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, a class D felony; Disseminating Indecent Material to Minors in the First Degree, a class D felony; Coercion in the First Degree, a class D felony; Criminal Solicitation in the Third Degree, a class E felony; and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor.
“This is a scheme that is unfortunately becoming more and more common, and that is adult males preying upon younger girls – including juveniles and children – to get them to send inappropriate photos and videos, including nude photos or videos involving sex acts, via social media,” District Attorney Sini said. “They often engage in what we call “sextortion,” which is essentially threatening victims into sending these photos and videos or else the perpetrator will widely distribute the explicit images that were previously sent. But our message to these predators is that you cannot hide behind a screen. We will find you, and we will hold you accountable.
“To all the parents out there: Please monitor your child’s usage of social media,” District Attorney Sini said. “If you cannot effectively monitor your child’s use of social media, do not allow them to use it. As parents, as a society, and certainly for us as law enforcement, it is imperative that we all remain vigilant in protecting our children on the internet.”
“This case offers an opportunity for parents to speak with their children about the dangers of social media and is a reminder to always be aware of what your children are doing and who they are talking to,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said. “I commend all the agencies involved for their efforts in arresting a dangerous, sexual predator who was exploiting young females.”
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.”
The investigation, which is ongoing, has revealed evidence of 14 alleged victims who were between the ages of 12 and 15 years old at the time the crimes were committed. 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.
“It takes a great deal of bravery for young women and girls to report these kinds of crimes; we understand that they may feel embarrassed or afraid to come forward,” District Attorney Sini said. “But it is critically important so that law enforcement can hold these perpetrators accountable and prevent them from harming additional victims in the future.”
Garyn was arraigned today in Suffolk County First District Court and bail was set at $200,000 cash, $750,000 bond, or $2.5 million partially-secured bond. He is being represented by Howard Samuels and is due back in court on Dec. 9.
If convicted of the top count, Garyn faces a maximum sentence of five to 15 years in prison.
District Attorney Sini thanks the Suffolk County Police Department, U.S. Marshals, Southampton Town Police Department and Quogue Village Police Department for their assistance with the investigation.
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.
