Press Release  Bryon Hefner Indicted on Felony Charges in Connection With Sexual Assault, Criminal Lewdness and Distributing Nude Photos Without Consent

Boston — Bryon Hefner has been indicted on felony charges in connection with sexual assault, criminal lewdness and distributing nude photos without consent, Attorney General Maura Healey and Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced today.

Hefner, age 30, was indicted today by a Statewide Grand Jury on the felony charges of Indecent Assault & Battery on a Person Fourteen or Over (5 counts), Open and Gross Lewdness and Lascivious Behavior (1 count), and Dissemination of a Visual Image of a Nude or Partially Nude Person (4 counts). He is scheduled to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on April 24.

“As a result of our joint investigation with DA Conley’s Office, today’s indictments on multiple felony charges send a clear message that we will not tolerate behavior of this kind,” said AG Healey. “I want to thank the victims who have come forward and put their trust in us.”

“This joint investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of conduct that was not only inappropriate but criminal,” DA Conley said. “No one, regardless of who they are or where they work, should have to endure the assaults and exploitation alleged in these indictments. We see every day that disclosing sexual assault can be the most difficult thing many survivors ever do. We know the facts specific to this case, with many of the parties working in politics and government, made it especially daunting for some to come forward. We will support them and protect their privacy to the greatest degree possible as we work with AG Healey’s office to hold the defendant accountable. Finally, I want to remind every survivor of assault or abuse that they can count on both our offices to provide safe, respectful, victim-centered environments if and when they choose to disclose it.”

The indictments allege that Hefner sexually assaulted one victim on three separate occasions in the Boston area, including once in June 2015 in a residential building and twice in April 2016, once in vehicle and once in a restaurant.

Hefner allegedly sexually assaulted another victim in 2014 and exposed his genitals to that victim in June 2016. The indictments allege Hefner sexually assaulted a third victim in August 2016. These alleged offenses happened in Boston.

Prosecutors allege that Hefner obtained nude and partially-nude photos of another victim without the victim’s knowledge and sent or showed those photos to four other people without the victim’s consent.

The investigation into this matter is ongoing. These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with information about this case or other allegations related to this matter may contact the dedicated line at (617) 963-2638.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Jim O’Brien and Jennifer Snook of AG Healey’s Criminal Bureau and Special Assistant Attorney General Ian Polumbaum, chief of the Suffolk District Attorney’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, with assistance from Victim Witness Advocate Rebecca Quigley of the AG’s Victim Services Division, Senior Investigator Molly Parks of the AG’s Criminal Bureau, the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab, the Suffolk District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office and the Boston Police Department. 

Sexual assault can happen to anyone. While the victims of any crime are asked to call 911 in an emergency, survivors of sexual violence can also call their local rape crisis center for free and confidential services and to discuss their options. Support is available for all survivors of sexual violence, regardless of whether they wish to take part in a criminal prosecution. Services by city and town can be found at www.janedoe.org/find_help/search.

In Suffolk County, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center offers a free and confidential 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center provides medical accompaniment and many other free services to victims of rape and sexual assault.

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