“One of the worst cases of alleged child sexual abuse,” Brian Warner posts bail amidst 51 counts of child abuse

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Brian Warner, 38, indicted on 51 counts of child abuse, posted bail on Tuesday, following a Berkshire Superior Court arraignment.

This development came after an intense court session at the Berkshire Superior Court, where Warner’s bail conditions were set based on the numerous indictments against him.

During his arraignment on April 11th, the court heard a litany of accusations, including aggravated rape of a child with force, rape of a child with force, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old. Additionally, Warner faces charges related to posing or exhibiting a child in a sexual act and possession of child pornography.

During the April 11th hearing, presiding Superior Court Judge Flannery noted on the record that this was one of the worst cases of alleged child sexual abuse that he had witnessed.

Previously, Warner had appeared in North Adams District Court on July 21, 2023. At that time, Judge William T. Rota had ordered Warner held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing. However, after a subsequent hearing, bail was set at $100,000, which was later reduced after a petition to review the bail was filed by the defendant in the Berkshire Superior Court on July 28. The bail was reduced to $25,000, which Warner was able to post, allowing him to reside with his father in Cheshire.

The decision to grant bail this time around was not made lightly. The court took into account the severity of the allegations and the potential threat Warner poses to the community. To mitigate these concerns, the judge imposed strict conditions on Warner’s release, including GPS monitoring and a prohibition on contact with minors or the victim’s family.

The court’s decision to increase Warner’s bail stemmed from new evidence presented by the Commonwealth. During the hearing, prosecutors detailed disturbing findings, including the discovery of child sexual abuse materials on Warner’s devices. These materials depicted the sexual assault of both male and female prepubescent children. The sheer volume of evidence—over 54,000 images reviewed—highlighted the gravity of the situation and underscored the urgent need for accountability.

If found guilty, he could face multiple life sentences, along with mandatory minimum sentences of at least 10 years.