BURRILLVILLE – A recently released report on the arrest of a 19-year-old Burrillville man documents an investigation in which police identified 18 victims before charging him with more than two dozen felony counts.
Brandon Cook, 19, of 100 Tarkiln Road, was arrested on Monday, March 2, and charged with 16 counts of indecent solicitation of a child and ten counts of electronically disseminating indecent material to minors.
NRI NOW requested a copy of the arrest report, which was provided by Burrillville police last week.
According to the report, the investigation began on Tuesday, Oct. 1, when Cook himself went to Burrillville police headquarters to file a report for cyber-harassment. Cook reportedly told police that an explicit video of a person who looked like him was being circulated on Snapchat by an adult male, and that the man had also sent it to a female minor.
The report details a bizarre and obscene act depicted in the clip, allegedly shared between Burrillville youth.
“Following an investigation, it was determined that Mr. Cook did in fact send the explicit video himself,” the report notes.
Cook reportedly admitted to lying to police during further questioning on Thursday, Oct. 10, and said he sent the video of himself to numerous underage females, including a 14-year-old girl, over the course of several months.
Through follow-up interviews, and a search of Cook’s cell phone, computer and Snapchat account, 18 victims were identified.
“Mr. Cook also used grooming tactics and met underage females at venues normally normally meant for (pre)teens/teens,” the report states.
The document notes that Cook requested the victims ask him to complete sexually explicit dares, requested images and videos of them in return, and then disseminated the material.
He was among five suspects – ranging in age from 15 to 19 – arrested over charges related to cyber-harassment, child pornography and dissemination of materials in Burrillville over a two month period between January and February.
Xavier LaFleur, 19, was charged in January with unauthorized dissemination of indecent materials. LaFleur’s bail was later set at $10,000. He has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for April 4.
Additionally, a 16-year-old male was charged with five counts of extortion, five counts of cyber harassment, distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography in January. A 15-year-old-male and a 16-year-old male were charged with 2nd degree robbery, assault with intent to commit 1st degree sexual assault, extortion and blackmail, and conspiracy in conjunction with the investigation in February.
Cook’s bail was set at $20,000 personal recognizance, with conditions that he not use a computer nor have any contact with the witnesses, or any unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. He has a pre-arraignment conference scheduled for June 2.
