(Marion County, FL) In the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Timothy McCourt, jurors found 51-year-old Brian Patrick McCoy guilty on all charges. McCoy was charged with one count of Felony Capital Sexual Battery upon a Child under 12 Years of Age, one count of Direct or Promote Sexual Performance of a Child, and two counts of Possession of Child Pornography.
After being found guilty, Judge McCourt sentenced McCoy to Life in State Prison for the sexual battery charge. McCoy was also consecutively sentenced to 15 years for the sexual performance charge, and then 5 years respectively for each of the possession of child pornography charges.
“Crimes committed against children tear apart the very foundation of trust and hope that is essential for their future,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “We commend Sheriff Woods and his detectives for their dedication and pursuit of justice in this case. We hope this sentencing can offer a glimmer of hope for the victim and their family, so they can find the strength to heal.”
McCoy was arrested in June of 2019 following a Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) investigation after law enforcement officials received a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating an online user had uploaded files containing apparent child pornography.
During their investigation, officials determined McCoy, a registered sex offender, was the owner of the account. After obtaining a search warrant, detectives responded to McCoy’s residence, where they made contact with McCoy and seized his cellular device. While interviewing McCoy, he admitted to law enforcement about viewing and saving files of child pornography.
An MCSO Digital Forensic Technician was able to complete a forensic exam of the defendant’s device and locate the aforementioned files. The victim in this case was identified in various videos contained on the defendant’s device.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Shanae Pickens and Sasha Kidney.
Published on 09/11/2024.