A Yakima man, Bryan Christopher Stevenson, 43, has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for soliciting minors to send him sexually explicit content. The sentencing follows his guilty plea and was announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke also imposed a 10-year supervised release period following Stevenson's prison term.
Court documents reveal that between October 2020 and August 2022, Stevenson used social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to communicate with at least eight identifiable minors across three states. He offered money in exchange for explicit images and videos, sometimes assuming false identities such as a minor female or teenage boy to manipulate his victims.
In one instance, Stevenson threatened a minor by claiming possession of their nude videos and demanded more content under the threat of exposing these videos to the minor's parents and church members.
Investigators found disturbing evidence on Stevenson's iPad, including 172 images and 45 videos depicting minors engaged in sexual acts. Among these were materials involving a victim aged between four and six years old.
"Mr. Stevenson’s conduct was predatory, calculated, and devastating in its impact on vulnerable children," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Rich Barker. He emphasized the dangers children face online due to individuals like Stevenson who exploit technology for harmful purposes.
Barker criticized social media companies for not doing enough to protect users from exploitation: "Social media companies like Snapchat and Instagram have the responsibility to do more to ensure their products do not endanger the most vulnerable members of our communities."
Matthew Murphy, Acting Special Agent in Charge of ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle, remarked on the severity of Stevenson's actions: "Today’s sentencing is a powerful reminder that those who exploit and terrorize children through threats and manipulation will be held fully accountable."
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations along with the Yakima Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Murphy.
