A Columbus man finds himself ensnared by the law, facing federal charges on counts of child pornography and video voyeurism. Neil Brown, a 41-year-old employee at various local cell phone stores, was taken into custody by federal agents, with indictments on allegations that include capturing and disseminating illicit images from customers' phones.
According to a press release posted on the United States Attorney’s Office Southern District of Ohio website, a cyber tipline complaint received in January put Brown in the crosshairs of investigation, revealing more than 75 images and videos of child pornography on his personal device. Brown has further been accused of purchasing videos depicting child abuse through virtual currency on an unspecified app.
Investigators uncovered that while employed at Cellular Sales, Brown would access female customers’ phones under the guise of service and scour for explicit content, then reportedly create videos on his own device. Up until now, the authorities have identified three women victimized by his alleged intrusion.
The case against Brown has transitioned from local to federal jurisdiction, where previous local charges have been dismissed in favor of the weightier federal indictments. After his earlier arrest on charges of pandering obscenity involving a minor, Brown's appearance in federal court was made today, and the matter was formally brought to public attention.
Charges were announced by a coalition of law enforcement agencies, including United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Dominick S. Gerace II, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Cincinnati Division, Jason Cromartie, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin, and members of the Franklin County ICAC Task Force. In the court of law, Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski stands as the representative prosecutor for the United States.
While the charges present serious allegations against Brown, it remains the cornerstone of our justice system that a defendant retains the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt.
