The Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the North Olmsted Police Department announce the arrest of Brandon Thomas Kern, 27 years old, of Bayport, New York. Kern has been charged with traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

On October 7, 2021, a minor victim, age 14, and her mother made a police report with North Olmsted Police Department regarding online activity between the minor victim and Kern. The minor victim told law enforcement that she had been communicating with Kern for several weeks and believed Kern to be 16 years old until he told her he had rented a vehicle and would soon be in Ohio to have sex with her. The minor victim became frightened and told her mom about her online communications with this individual. Kern had threatened the victim with releasing inappropriate photos of her as a means to force her to meet with him.

At the time of filing the police report, Kern continued to communicate with the minor victim, arranging to pick her up at the library to which she could easily walk. North Olmsted Police officers instead met Kern and placed him into custody without incident.

Kern admitted to communicating with the victim and indicated that law enforcement officers would find rope, lube, and condoms in a nearby hotel room he had rented for the purpose of having sex with the minor victim.

Kern is to have an initial appearance in United States Magistrate Judge David A. Ruiz today, October 8, 2021, at 2 p.m.

This matter is considered an ongoing investigation and no further information outside of the federal complaint affidavit can be released.

Any questions regarding this press release can be directed to SA Vicki Anderson at 216-522-1400 or at vagregg@fbi.gov.