Break lands man in camp

A man guilty in a child porn case can stay at a Christian work camp until he is sentenced.

By JEFF TESTERMAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 4, 2000

TAMPA -- A Largo man who has agreed to testify against two co-defendants accused of producing child pornography in St. Petersburg will be allowed to enter a Christian work camp until he is sentenced.

U.S. District Judge Richard Lazzara agreed to allow Brian F. Brohel, 20, out of jail to enter a Christian-based program for addicts called Teen Challenge. Lazzara made his ruling after federal prosecutor Colleen Murphy said she wanted give Brohel a break so he could later be a more productive citizen.

Lazzara also heard from Brohel's grandfather and acknowledged Brohel's 20-year-old girlfriend, pregnant with the defendant's child, before ruling.

"Listen to me, Mr. Brohel," Lazzara said. "I'm taking a chance on you.

"You let these people down, and I'm sure they'll shed a few tears. You let me down, and I'll put you in jail, and I won't shed a tear."

Brohel, who has an extensive criminal record as a juvenile, was indicted by a federal grand jury March 1 on charges of production of child pornography involving interstate or foreign commerce. Also charged were Karl S. Henry, 28, of St. Petersburg and Daniel M. Werner, described as a transient.

The charges stem from a January investigation of a rented home at 219 44th Ave. N in St. Petersburg, where police seized three marijuana plants, a substance suspected to be rock cocaine and a series of videotapes that authorities say show one or more of the defendants engaged in sex with juvenile girls.

A 16-year-old girl on one tape told FBI agents that she was given alcohol and drugs by the men before engaging in sex acts at a residence in St. Petersburg.

In a May agreement, Brohel agreed to plead guilty to one count of the child pornography indictment and to cooperate with investigators.

In his plea, Brohel says Henry enticed girls into sexual activity by promising them jobs modeling a clothing line he produced. Brohel also admitted videotaping a minor having sex with Werner on two occasions.

The single count Brohel pleaded guilty to carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, though he could still receive a recommendation for leniency from prosecutors.

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