Man Charged in Scheme to Exploit Minors for Explicit Material via Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok

• An individual is accused of exploiting the trust and innocence of minors for his own gratification via social media.
• Snapchat, Instagram, Kik, and TikTok were used as manipulation grounds to lure underage children into creating explicit content.
• The allegations include sexual exploitation of minors, and each charge carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.

A New York individual faces three counts of sexual exploitation of a child, with each charge carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years in prison. The man was arrested on May 2, 2025, and presented in White Plains federal court.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has unsealed a federal complaint charging Brian Liam Fullerton, 46, of Mahopac, New York. 

According to the complaint, Fullerton allegedly used popular social media platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, Kik, and TikTok, between September 2022 and the present to lure minors into producing and sharing sexually explicit material. 

He specifically targeted girls as young as 14, coercing them into transmitting explicit photos and videos. The complaint reveals that Fullerton communicated inappropriately with these minors, making explicit and disturbing statements, and repeatedly attempted to conceal their underage status.

Fullerton’s predatory behavior allegedly included soliciting multiple minors for sexually explicit content, sending vulgar messages to victims to normalize and encourage these exchanges. 

One 14-year-old minor was coerced into sending explicit videos, while the accused allegedly sent sexually explicit text messages.

He used social media usernames like “lomax518” on Snapchat and Kik, “BRADSMITH4187” on Instagram, and “bradsddysza” on TikTok. Investigators are urging anyone who may have interacted with the aforementioned usernames to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or via their tip website at https://tips.fbi.gov. 

While the charges represent allegations at this stage, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty, law enforcement has emphasized its ongoing commitment to seeking justice for the victims.