A hospital pharmacist from Jamaica Plain was arraigned last week on charges he conspired with another individual to sexually assault an infant, as well as possessing and distributing child pornography and other charges after a search warrant executed at his Jamaica Plain home, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said.
Brandon Bair, 32, of Jamaica Plain, a doctor of pharmacology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, was arraigned yesterday in the West Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court on charges of conspiracy to commit rape of a child; enticement, solicitation or employment of children in child pornography; dissemination of child pornography; possession of child pornography and dissemination of obscene matter to a child. All of the charges were issued following the execution of a search warrant yesterday morning. Additional charges are expected as the investigation continues.
Assistant District Attorney Alyssa Tochka of District Attorney Rollins’ Human Trafficking and Exploitation Unit requested that Bair be held without bail pending the outcome of a dangerousness hearing. Judge Catherine Ham allowed the motion. That hearing will take place Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
“These are incredibly disturbing allegations. Victims exploited through child sexual abuse material such as this have not only had their childhoods stolen through rape and abuse, but their darkest moments have been shared for the sick pleasure of others online to view and continually exploit them. The survivors of these crimes struggle to heal from their trauma with the knowledge that, even years later, individuals continue to download and distribute the evidence of their abuse,” District Attorney Rollins said. “These charges represent some of the most horrendous acts we see in law enforcement.”
An investigation by the Boston Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, Massachusetts State Police, and law enforcement in other states began in August 2020 in response to a Cybertip received by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for Bair’s user account on the app Kik. The search revealed nearly 1,000 images of suspected child sexual assault material depicting the rape, abuse and exploitation of children as young as infants, prosecutors said. Bair is accused of possessing and sharing these documents through the app. He is also accused of using the app Discord to conspire with another individual to forcibly rape the individual’s infant child.
In addition, the investigation found that Bair befriended an underage child on Snapchat and used the app to send the child an explicit image of himself, prosecutors said.
“As humans of conscience, it’s nearly impossible to imagine anyone harming a child in this manner. But as District Attorney, I can tell you that these acts happen far more often than any of us would like to believe,” District Attorney Rollins said. “I’m grateful to the Boston Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the partner agencies that worked with Suffolk prosecutors to build a criminal case against this individual. We will continue to work together to hold him accountable, as well as anyone who would sexually exploit a child.
“This individual is accused of using apps that are popular among children and teens to commit these crimes. It’s important that parents and those who have children in their lives are aware of the risks that young people face online, even when we believe they are in the safety of their own homes. To help address these risks, my Office has created an online safety training program for children, parents and professionals called Stop Block and Talk to help equip them with the information and skills necessary to stay safe online.”
Stop Block and Talk presentations are available to schools, youth serving agencies, parent groups and professionals who work with young people across Suffolk County. Click here for more information.
While the victims and witnesses of any crime should call 911 in an emergency, there are additional resources available to report suspected crimes against children. In Suffolk County, survivors of child abuse and exploitation and their non-offending caretakers can receive comprehensive services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County. The CAC can be reached at 617-779-2146. Anyone who believes that a child in Massachusetts may be the victim of abuse can call the Department of Children and Families’ Child at Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200. Those concerned that a child is being exploited online may report a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.cybertipline.com.
Nicole Bresnahan is the assigned Victim Witness Advocate. Bair was represented at arraignment by Anthony Musto. He returned to court Tuesday, November 3.