Former reality TV show participant Tony McCollister has been arrested in Warren County, Ohio, facing allegations of disturbing sexual offenses involving a minor and animals. WLWT reported that the 43-year-old, once featured on the A&E series "Neighbors with Benefits," is being charged with pandering obscenity involving a minor and sexual conduct with an animal. WLWT obtained video footage showing the apprehension of McCollister by Warren County deputies.
The legal accusations are heavy, stating McCollister uploaded child sexual abuse imagery to his personal Google account and engaged in prohibited sexual behavior with his two dogs. These events reportedly transpired on November 23, per courthouse records cited by People. McCollister's bond has been set at $250,000, and during his arrest, he was mandated not to have any contact with children or pets. His court return is scheduled for Today.
Emails obtained by WLWT further implicate another person, Erica Grove, residing at a house listed as McCollister's address, which she owns just outside of South Lebanon. Grove also stands accused of sexual conduct with an animal, a charge representing a misdemeanor, in contrast to McCollister's additional felony charge of pandering obscenity, which could potentially result in an 8-year prison sentence and a $15,000 fine if a conviction is reached. No detailed relationship between McCollister and Grove has been publicly disclosed or unearthed by media outlets. Grove is expected to be arraigned Today.
"Neighbors with Benefits," which premiered in March 2015, was an attempt by A&E to explore the unconventional lifestyle of swinger couples mingling ordinary family life with their chosen socialization. The show, however, encountered swift viewer backlash, and after airing just two episodes, it was canceled. At the time of its airing, McCollister and his wife were depicted as an ordinary couple.
