Suspect arrested in child pornography case, fired from Westport YMCA

WESTPORT, CT — The Westport man arrested last week for possession of child pornography was 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 board president.

Brian Myers had been an employee of the Westport-based Y since 2011 and had worked for the past three years “primarily in the kids club and at 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, occasionally filling in during the holidays.

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

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

Acting 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 being in possession of child pornography and provided his cell phones and laptops containing the images,” Westport police Lt. Eric Woods said in a statement.

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

McCormick said the facility is “responsible for providing a safe environment for every person who enters our doors – most importantly, the children entrusted to our care.”

For this reason, various measures are taken to ensure safety, such as daily consultations of the National Register of Sex Offenders, 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 shocked and disturbed to learn recently of the arrest of Brian Myers, a now
former employee accused of possessing child pornography. When we learned of his arrest, we immediately terminated his employment.

Mr. Myers started working at WWFY in 2011. For the last 3 years, Mr. Myers has been primarily
worked in the Kids Club and at birthday parties. In 2022 he worked for Camp Hafaday and has
represented this program occasionally during the summer camps. However, Mr. Myers did not work in
any summer camps this year.

At this time in the investigation, we have no reason to believe that any members or participants of our Y were involved in the alleged pornography. We will continue to assist 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 are
has always been and will always be our top priority. We strive to provide a safe environment for everyone who enters our doors – especially the children entrusted to us
into our care. We have taken a number of measures to ensure the safety of the children. Currently, WWFY offers:

• Conducts daily National Sex Offender Registry (BIB) checks on all employees;
  
• Conducts a state and federal criminal records check (felony and misdemeanor), social security check, and National Sex Offender Registry (BIB) check for all newly hired employees;
  
• Conducts daily checks of all members against the National Sex Offender Registry (BIB);
  
• Conducts in-depth pre-hire interviews;
  
• Conducts at least three reference checks for all applicants;
  
• Requires all employees to complete training on preventing, detecting 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 that prohibits/restricts electronic communication between employees and young people
  
• Report any allegations or suspicions of abuse to the appropriate authorities in accordance with Connecticut law;
  
• complies with/exceeds local licensing requirements regarding staff-to-child ratios;
  

WWFY prides itself on providing safe spaces for children to develop their skills and confidence.