L.I. Man Charged with Rape of Two Teen Girls

By ADAM ZAKI

A 20-year-old Bohemia man was arraigned in a Suffolk County Court room on numerous charges Thursday, after prosecutors say he raped two teenage girls in March and August whom he connected with via Snapchat. 

“This is a stark reminder to all the parents out there,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Timothy Sini. “If you cannot monitor your child’s use of a particular social media platform, do not allow them to use it.”

According to Suffolk County Police, Brendan Sullivan asked two different teens on two separate occasions for naked pictures of themselves via the social media site. Upon his arrest and seizing of his cellphone in May, investigators found what they called “child pornography” — presumably screenshot Snapchats of his victims.

A subsequent follow up investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department’s Computer Crimes Unit revealed evidence that he had sexual contact with the victims, who were both below the age of 15 at the time of their rapes. 

Sullivan was arrested in a parking lot in Medford on October 23rd without incident and faces up to twenty years if convicted. His most aggressive charges include a Criminal Sexual Act in the Second Degree, four counts of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child, four counts of Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child, three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree.

 “The actions of Brendan Sullivan are reprehensible and his young victims should be commended for their bravery coming forward,” said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart. “I urge parents to speak with their children about utilizing social media safely and urge anyone who may be a victim in this case to come forward and have your voice heard.”

While investigating Sullivan in May, police found him delivering vape pens to the victim’s mailboxes.  It appears he  may have been coercing his victims by providing them with access to nicotine, a substance with which he is too young to buy in Suffolk County.  

Supreme Court Justice Chris Ann Kelley had bail set at $500,000 cash during arraignment, with a $1 million bond. Sullivan and his defense attorney Peter Mayer are due back in court on December 10.