Suspect arrested in child pornography case fired from Westport YMCA

WESTPORT, CT — The Westport man who was arrested last week for possession of child pornography had been an employee of the Westport Weston Family YMCA for more than a decade but was immediately fired after his arrest, according to the facility's CEO.

Brian Myers had been an employee of the Westport-based YMCA since 2011, and for the past three years, “he primarily worked at the Kids Club and birthday parties,” according to a statement from Anjali McCormick, CEO of the Westport Weston Family YMCA, obtained by Patch.

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Myers, 29, also worked for Camp Hafaday in 2022 and occasionally filled in for staff at that camp during the holidays.

“At this point in the investigation, we have no reason to believe that the alleged pornographic acts involved members or participants of our Y,” McCormick wrote. “We will continue to support the Westport Police Department in their investigation.”

McCormick added: “We were deeply dismayed and troubled to learn recently of the arrest of Brian Myers, a former employee, who was charged with possession of child pornography. When we learned of his arrest, we immediately terminated his employment.”

Based on a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Westport police launched an investigation into Myers, which led to his arrest last week.

“Mr. Myers admitted to possessing child pornography and provided his cell phones and laptops containing the images,” Westport Police Lt. Eric Woods said in a statement.

Myers is free on $30,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Friday.

McCormick said the facility is committed to “providing a safe environment for every person who walks through our doors, and especially the children in our care.”

Therefore, several measures are taken to ensure safety, including daily searches of the National Sex Offenders Registry, prohibiting electronic contact between staff and children and reporting any allegations or suspicions of abuse to the relevant authorities.

Below is the full statement from Anjali McCormick, CEO of the Westport Weston Family YMCA:

We were deeply dismayed and troubled to learn recently of the arrest of Brian Myers, a
former employee, who was charged with possession of child pornography. When we learned of his arrest, we immediately terminated his employment.

Mr. Myers began working for WWFY in 2011. Over the past three years, Mr. Myers has primarily
worked at Kids Club and with birthday parties. In 2022 he worked for Camp Hafaday and has
He occasionally filled in for this program during summer camps. However, Mr. Myers did not work in
summer camps this year.

At this point in the investigation, we have no reason to believe that any of the alleged pornography scenes involved members or participants of our Y. We will continue to support the Westport Police Department in their investigation.

At the Westport Weston Family YMCA (WWFY), the safety and well-being of the children in our care
has always been and always will be a top priority. We are committed to providing a safe environment for every person who walks through our doors, and especially the children in our care.
to our care. We have implemented a series of measures to ensure the safety of children. Currently, WWFY:

• Conducts daily National Sex Offender Registry (BIB) checks on all staff;
  
• Conducts state and county criminal record checks (felony and misdemeanor), social security check, and national sex offender registry (BIB) for all newly hired employees;
  
• Conducts daily checks of all members against the National Sex Offender Registry (BIB);
  
• Conducts detailed pre-hire interviews;
  
• Conducts at least three reference checks on all candidates;
  
• Requires all staff to complete training on preventing, recognizing and responding to abuse;
  
• Prohibits staff from being alone with a child where he or she cannot be observed by others;
  
• Limits staff contact with children outside of YMCA programs;
  
• Has a policy prohibiting/limiting electronic communication between staff and youth
  
• Report any allegations or suspicions of abuse to the appropriate authorities in accordance with Connecticut law;
  
• meets/exceeds local licensing requirements regarding staff supervision ratios to children;
  

WWFY prides itself on providing safe places where children can develop their skills and confidence.