East Aurora Man Charged with Attempted Child Enticement

Brian O’Brien, 41, of East Aurora, New York, has been arrested and charged with attempted enticement of a minor and possession of child pornography. The charges carry a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life.

The investigation, led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, began in June 2023 after O’Brien was connected to the uploading of child pornography on Snapchat. A search warrant was executed at his residence in July 2023, resulting in the seizure of numerous electronic items. A cursory search of an external hard drive confirmed the presence of child pornography on the drive, with some images/videos appearing to have been saved roughly 10 years prior.

Further investigation revealed conversations between O’Brien and other men, in which they discussed exchanging child pornography and the sexual abuse of children. In another conversation, O’Brien reached out to an individual identified as “JJ,” asking to be connected to minor boys.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caitlin M. Higgins is handling the case, stating that the complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

O’Brien was arrested in San Diego, California, and is currently facing serious charges that could result in significant prison time. The investigation highlights the ongoing issue of child exploitation and the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat it.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation continues to work tirelessly to protect our communities from those who would seek to harm our children. This case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of child exploitation and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.