UTAH COUNTY, Utah — A 24-year-old man was arrested on several felony charges after allegedly sharing explicit images of his 17-year-old cousin. Bryan Pete Marx faces 10 first-degree felony counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, as well as one second-degree felony charge of enticing a minor.
The investigation began when a deputy with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office was contacted about Child Sex Abuse Material being shared on a social media platform. After receiving a tip, the deputy obtained a search warrant to examine Marx’s phone. During the search, investigators discovered multiple explicit images of the victim, which were reportedly saved on the suspect’s device.
The investigation expanded when a detective in Texas contacted the deputy, revealing that Marx was under investigation in connection with a sex offense involving the same victim. The detective presented a photo of the 17-year-old, which was recognized by the deputy as being from Marx’s phone. The deputy’s findings indicated that Marx had hundreds of explicit images, including photos taken by his phone and screenshots from Facetime calls with the victim.
Marx was arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail, where he is being held without bail. The victim’s family expressed concerns for her safety, leading authorities to request that Marx remain incarcerated, fearing he may attempt to contact her if released.
Marx now faces serious charges that could result in substantial prison time if convicted. Law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate the case, ensuring that all evidence is properly examined in order to pursue justice for the victim.