Man Charged With Raping 2 Girls, 13, Possessing Child Porn: DA

BOHEMIA, NY — A Bohemia man was indicted Thursday on charges of raping two young girls he communicated with on Snapchat, as well as possessing child pornography, Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini said.

Police previously reported that both girls were 13 years old.

Brendan Sullivan, 20, was charged with two counts of second degree rape, a D violent felony; second degree criminal sexual act , a D violent felony; four counts of promoting a sexual performance by a child, a D felony; four counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child, an E felony; first degree criminal contempt, an E felony; three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, an A misdemeanor; two counts of second degree criminal contempt, an A misdemeanor; and third degree sexual abuse, a B misdemeanor, Sini said.

Sullivan was initially apprehended in May after it was reported to police that Sullivan had been communicating with a juvenile on Snapchat and had arranged to deliver vape pens to her, Sini said.

Police witnessed Sullivan delivering the vape pens to the girl’s mailbox, Sini said.

Sullivan was arrested and a forensic analysis of his cell phone revealed that he possessed child pornography on his phone; Sullivan would allegedly direct the juvenile victims to send sexually explicit images, Sini said.

“This is a stark reminder to all the parents out there: If you cannot effectively monitor your child’s use of a particular social media platform, do not allow them to use it,” Sini said.

Sullivan was charged with having sexual contact with two victims under the age of 15 in March and August; he communicated with the victims primarily through Snapchat, Sini said.

Sullivan was arraigned on the indictment in front of Acting Suffolk County Supreme Court Justice Chris Ann Kelley Thursday in Riverhead and bail was set at $500,000 cash, $1 million bond, or $1.5 million partially-secured bond, Sini said.

If convicted, Sullivan faces an aggregate maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, Sini said.

He is due back in court on Dec. 10 and is being represented by Hauppauge-based attorney Peter Mayer, Sini said.

"At this point he has pled not guilty to the charges and he has not been convicted of anything," Mayer said. "In America we still enjoy the presumption of innocence until he is proven guilty in a court of competent jurisdiction. I want everyone in Suffolk County to remember that and to not formulate an opinion that he is already guilty just because he has been charged with these crimes."

“As alleged in the indictment, this defendant is a sexual predator who uses Snapchat, among other means, to knowingly prey upon young girls,” Sini said. “This defendant is an alleged child predator, and we will hold him accountable for these egregious acts. Victims of rape — particularly young girls — face an extremely difficult situation and can often feel vulnerable or trapped, but our message to them is that we are here for you; we ask you to come forward, and we will seek justice on your behalf.”

“The actions of Brendan Sullivan are reprehensible and his young victims should be commended for their bravery coming forward,” Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said. “While the Suffolk County Police Department is continuing to work with the District Attorney’s Office to identify other possible victims, I urge parents to speak with their children about utilizing social media safely and urge anyone who may be a victim in this case to come forward and have your voice heard.”

Sullivan was also charged with criminal contempt for violating an order of protection against a previous victim by contacting the victim, visiting the victim at her home, and threatening to rape her, Sini said.

Sini and Hart urge anyone with information to contact the SCPD Computer Crimes Unit at 631-852-6279 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

With additional reporting by Priscila Korb.