COLONIE, N.Y. – Colonie Police arrested a man they say was transmitting child pornography online.
Investigators say 25-year-old Brennan McNeil not only traded child pornography online, but he also admitted to creating his own videos with young boys.
Police say undercover investigators searching the dark web identified Brennan McNeil’s computer IP address to suspected child pornography files that were being shared with other users from between May 1st to May 13th.
Colonie Police working with the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force say the IP address led them to a first-floor apartment at a 2nd Street duplex in Albany.
“He was ultimately located there, interviewed, and admitted to some of this activity and was arrested,” Colonie Police Lt. Robert Winn said.
Investigators made a chilling discovery when they looked at his electronic devices.
“They found what appeared to be a video that he created of him having illegal sexual contact with an underage person. It was located on his cellphone which we are in possession of now,” Winn said. “During the interview, he did indicate that he had had illegal sexual contact with children known to him.
Unfortunately for us, that would have taken place in North Carolina.”
Police say it was in the small town of Pink Hill North Carolina where the day laborer lived for two years with other family members.
The FBI is planning on interviewing alleged victims down there.
“It just shocks me what you’re telling me and he comes from a fabulous family,” Ron Hoyt, a neighbor, said.
Longtime neighbor Hoyt said he’s known McNeil since he was a child.
“He was a great young man when he was growing up before he moved down south,” Hoyt said. “I’m shocked.”
Police say McNeil had only been back in Albany for a few short months before being arrested.
They do not believe there are victims up here.
If you know anything about this case, you’re asked to call Colonie Police at (518) 783-2744.
