The star of a short-lived reality show about swingers in Warren County appeared in court on Dec. 30, accused of having images of children being sexually abused and sex acts with animals. A grand jury will now decide whether the criminal case proceeds.
Tony McCollister, 43, of Union Township, is charged with pandering obscenity involving a minor, a felony, and misdemeanor sexual conduct with an animal.
McCollister knowingly uploaded child sexual abuse material to his Google account and engaged in sexual conduct with his two dogs, investigators said in a criminal complaint.
While McCollister was present in the courtroom on Dec. 30, he waived the preliminary hearing before Warren County Municipal Judge Gary Loxley.
The hearing was intended for the judge to hear evidence and determine if it’s sufficient for a felony prosecution. Instead, McCollister’s waiver means the case will be presented to a grand jury, which will decide whether to issue an indictment in Warren County Common Pleas Court.
McCollister’s attorney asked the court to reduce his $250,000 bond, citing McCollister’s limited financial resources. The judge denied that request.
The bond includes court orders to stay away from children and animals.
McCollister was featured on A&E’s “Neighbors with Benefits,” a 2015 reality show that ran for one season, following several local married couples in extramarital relationships.
The show was abruptly canceled after only two episodes. McCollister and his wife were portrayed as the leaders of a swingers’ movement in their Thornton Grove neighborhood.
McCollister was booked on Dec. 23 into the Warren County Jail, where he’s being held while awaiting trial.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Grand jury to hear child sex abuse images case against reality TV star
Reporting by Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
