David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and P.J. O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, have announced charges against Sean Sayer, a 22-year-old from Naugatuck. Sayer faces federal criminal complaints related to child exploitation offenses.
According to court documents and statements, on March 20, 2025, an eight-year-old boy in Oregon contacted Sayer via text message asking if he was @fornight_legends on TikTok. Sayer confirmed his identity and over three days exchanged more than 1,300 messages with the minor victim. During these exchanges, Sayer allegedly demanded sexually explicit images and videos from the boy in return for playing Fortnite online together. The minor sent at least 15 videos considered as child sexual abuse material or child pornography.
Sayer was arrested on June 18, 2025. A preliminary forensic review of his cellphone reportedly uncovered screenshots of Snapchat conversations with numerous other minors whom he coerced into sending sexually explicit photos.
Sayer appeared today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria E. Garcia in New Haven for a bond hearing. He was released on a $150,000 bond under home detention with location monitoring and is prohibited from internet access or contact with minors.
The complaint against Sayer includes charges such as production of child pornography which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years up to a maximum of 30 years imprisonment; coercion and enticement of a minor with penalties ranging from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment; receipt and possession of child pornography carrying sentences up to 20 years; and transfer of obscene material to a minor punishable by up to 10 years.
U.S. Attorney Sullivan emphasized that “a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.” Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation involves the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force along with assistance from federal, state, local law enforcement agencies, and the Eugene Police Department in Oregon. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary G. Vitale is prosecuting the case.
This case forms part of Project Safe Childhood Initiative by the U.S Department of Justice aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation. More information about this initiative can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
Reports regarding cases involving child exploitation can be made at www.cybertipline.com.
