Brandon Kuper, 22, of Tacoma, Washington, was sentenced to 165 months in federal prison and 10 years’ supervised release on February 25 for using social media to coerce a minor into sending him sexually explicit materials and engaging in self-harm following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and local law enforcement partner investigation.
According to court documents, in November 2022, Kuper messaged a minor through Discord and Snapchat, two social media messaging applications, in an attempt to develop a relationship. Kuper coerced the victim into producing and sending him sexually explicit photos and videos, including sadistic and masochistic conduct.
When the victim denied some of Kuper’s requests, he threatened to harm the victim and the victim’s family if his demands were not met.
Kuper continued to make threats and demands until the victim bravely reported Kuper to their parents and then law enforcement.
Investigators learned that Kuper used Discord and Snapchat to find and convince minors to produce and send him sexually explicit material.
In several instances, Kuper asked his victims to cut his social media username “Merqzs” into their skin, photograph it, and send him the photos.
Investigators also found revenge pornography that Kuper created and posted of at least one other victim who did not comply with his demands.
On November 10, 2022, Kuper was arrested in Tacoma and remains in custody.
On November 17, 2022, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a two-count indictment charging Kuper with the production of child pornography and enticing a minor.
On November 20, 2024, Kuper pleaded guilty to coercion and enticement of a minor.
