YAKIMA, WA – A Yakima man was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for soliciting minors using social media, following a multi-agency investigation.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington, 43-year-old Bryan Christopher Stevenson used Snapchat and Instagram to contact minors between October 2020 and August 2022. Stevenson pleaded guilty to soliciting sexually explicit content from at least eight minors across three states.

Court records indicate Stevenson used multiple online personas, including a teenage boy and a minor female, to deceive victims. In some cases, he offered money in exchange for sexually explicit photos and videos. In one instance, he allegedly threatened to share explicit videos of a minor with their parents and church unless additional material was sent.

A forensic review of Stevenson’s electronic devices uncovered 172 images and 45 videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Among the victims was a child believed to be between four and six years old.

Stevenson was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mary K. Dimke to 22 years in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release.

“This sentencing reflects the seriousness of online exploitation and the lasting harm it causes to victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Richard R. Barker. “Parents and communities must remain vigilant.”

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Yakima Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Murphy.