YAKIMA, Wash. – Bryan Christopher Stevenson, 43, of Yakima, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for soliciting minors to send sexually explicit content. The sentencing was announced by Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker.
Stevenson pleaded guilty to using social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram to communicate with at least eight minors between October 2020 and August 2022. He offered money in exchange for explicit pictures and videos, often assuming fake identities to deceive his victims.
In one instance, Stevenson threatened a minor by claiming he possessed nude videos of them and would share them with their parents and church unless they sent more videos.
The investigation, conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Yakima Police Department, revealed Stevenson had 172 images and 45 videos of minors, some as young as 4 to 6 years old, engaging in explicit conduct.
United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke also ordered Stevenson to serve 10 years of supervised release following his prison term. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Murphy.
