Back in April, TJHN published this story concerning two Lincoln Stars players Criminal Sexual Conduct Investigation For USHL Players
On Monday Thomas Ryan Carey of Moorhead and Brandon Nicholas Smith of Nebraska, both 19, were charged in Clay County District Court with one count of use of a minor in a sexual performance, one count of possession and one count of dissemination of child pornography, all felonies.
The charges stem from the players creating and disseminating child pornography after allegedly videotaping sex with a 15-year-old girl at a Moorhead motel after a game in February, then sending the video around to other people.
According to charges filed against the men, the girl reported to her mother she had sex with Carey at the Days Inn in Moorhead on Feb. 14 after a hockey game his team played against the Fargo Force.
The girl met Carey, a former Moorhead High School hockey player, on Facebook about a week before the game, court documents say, and went to the hotel with Carey and a female friend and some other Stars players.
Detectives have found video and photographic evidence to support these charges. Some allegations have been admitted to by the defendants during interviews with detectives although with “explanation”.
People in multiple state had reportedly received the video and had sent comments back to the girl saying “nice video”.
A player in Pennsylvania reportedly told the victim that the video and or photos were “going around”.
Carey and Smith both remain suspended from the Lincoln Stars, their status within the USHL will not be determined until the court case has been concluded.
TJHN will update this story as more information becomes available.
