The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has arrested a well-known children’s photographer for possession of child pornography.
The FBI investigation began on May 11 when an agent investigating BitTorrent identified 14 files associated with child pornography being transferred using an IP address that was traced to 58-year-old David Yellen, a gymnastics photographer from Royal Oak, Detroit.
On June 1, the FBI executed a search warrant at Yellen’s home. When questioned, he admitted to having child pornography on his electronic devices, but denied producing such material.
Yellen claimed to have downloaded child pornography ten years prior and still possessed that material, but he denied knowing that it was available to be downloaded by others.
At least 1,500 child sexual exploitation files were discovered on Yellen’s hard drive, at least 500 of which fit the federal definition of child pornography.
“Given his extensive use of (the file sharing program), I do not believe that he was unaware that he had his files in a location that allowed for sharing with others,” the FBI agent wrote in the criminal complaint.
The criminal complaint concludes that there’s probable cause that Yellen distributed and possessed child pornography despite claiming to not be unaware of it.
According to officials, Yellen is a freelance photographer who takes pictures and videos at girls’ gymnastics events. He has received credit and accolades for his work at multiple events over the years.
Kim Tanskanen, owner of the Michigan Elite Gymnastics Academy, has since released a statement regarding Yellen’s arrest and assured customers that none of the images he had involved any of the gymnasts.
“On the evening of June 1, the FBI informed us, in person, that David Yellen, a photographer we had contracted for photography services, was arrested and charged with possession and distribution of child sexual abuse images,” the statement read.
“Due to Yellen’s involvement with other gyms and throughout the national gymnastics community, the FBI is encouraging anyone who believes that they may have had any suspicious or unsettling contact with Yellen to call 1-800 CALL FBI,” it continued. “To date, according to the FBI’s investigation of Yellen, there is no evidence of child sexual abuse images involving any gymnasts.”
