A self-described skater who starred in a short-lived TV show accused of child sex crimes, animals
An Ohio man who starred in a short-lived television show about suburban surfers is accused of raping a little girl and sexually assaulting dogs and his icco partner.
Tony McCollister and Erica Lynne Grove, both 43 years old, were arrested in late December after Google sent a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children highlighting child pornography linked to the real star’s IP address, according to a news release from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.
McCollister previously appeared on the A&E reality television series “Neighbors With Benefits,” which aired only two episodes in 2015 and followed the lives of skiers in the Ohio area.
McCollister was portrayed as the leader of a ski community who aimed to “recruit new neighbors to join their free lifestyle,” according to one episode description.
Grove did not appear in the series.
During a six-month investigation, officials with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office found a disturbing video of McCollister and Grove having sex with two dogs, the report said.
Eventually they found more evidence that the couple drugged and raped a girl under the age of six, said Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell.
Detectives also found additional child sexual abuse materials involving the same girl, according to authorities.
“When we thought that sex with dogs would be the worst part of this case,
detectives found evidence of the rape of a little girl. I sit in a room full of people who investigate and prosecute child abuse cases every day, we review the evidence, it’s quiet. It’s really hard to even process,” said Fornshell.
Fornshell noted that the investigation is still in its early months, but they redoubled their efforts to bring the case to the Supreme Court as soon as they heard about the alleged child rape.
Grove has been charged with 24 counts, including four counts of rape, one of drug abuse, five counts of forced sex, eight counts of unlawful use of a minor or a disabled person in nudity, two counts of child endangerment and four counts of sex with an animal.
McCollister has been charged with 30 counts, including four counts of rape, one of drug abuse, five of sex, three of endangering children, 13 of which include sexual matters involving a minor or disabled child and four of sex with an animal.
The couple is scheduled to appear in court on February 4 in Warren County Common Pleas Court.
