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Local Ohio police have seized Neighbors With Benefits alum Tony McCollister’s pets in light of his recent arrest for child and animal sex crimes.
Warren County sheriff Barry Riley told TMZ on Saturday, December 27, that McCollister’s pets were confiscated during a police investigation and “are being well cared for.”
McCollister, 43, was arraigned on Thursday, December 25, according to Cincinnati’s WLWT outlet, where he was charged with pandering obscene content involving a minor and sexual conduct with an animal.
According to court documents obtained by the outlet, McCollister allegedly uploaded child sexual abuse material to a Google account and engaged in sexual activities with two dogs.
McCollister was granted $250,000 bail on Thursday and ordered to have no contact with any children or pets. His next court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, December 30.
Tony and his then-wife, Diana McCollister, previously starred on A&E’s Neighbors With Benefits. The docuseries followed their lifestyle as swingers and was canceled in 2015 after two episodes due to viewer backlash.
“We did it for a reason. We want our story told,” Diana, who shares three children with Tony, told Cincinnati’s Fox affiliate in May 2015 of joining the reality TV show. “This is how we swing. We just want to show our side of things because we do feel like we’re happy. We have a great life. We wanted to show the other side. That we are still normal people and put all of those negative images people think of when they think of swinging to rest.”
She continued at the time, “There’s definitely ups and downs with it. Definitely harder times. Arguments and disagreements. It keeps your marriage exciting. There are no boundaries. We don’t know what we are going to do tomorrow or the next day or the day after.”
Tony and Diana McCollister. Courtesy of A&E/ YouTube
While speaking with the local newspaper, Tony reiterated how they were “happy with” their marriage after adopting a swinging lifestyle.
“Us defining marriage our way does not hurt your marriage. It does not belittle your marriage. It doesn’t do anything to your marriage,” he explained at the time. “Be happy with your marriage. We’re happy with ours. The lifestyle isn’t for everyone.”
Tony added, “You’re not going to force your spouse into it and have it end well. There are a lot of negative things that go along with this but it can be a very positive thing if you approach it in an open honest way with open honest communication.”
While Hollywood may appear to be all glitz and glam on the surface, the industry has seen its fair share of scandals through the years. The New York Times and the New Yorker first published investigative pieces in 2017 that accused disgruntled movie producer Harvey Weinstein of decades of sexual assault and harassment. Soon after, Weinstein stood trial and was […]
In the pilot episode of Neighbors With Benefits, Tony further stressed how their lifestyle wasn’t the right fit for every couple.
“What we do isn’t for everybody, and I agree with that,” Tony said in a clip, discussing his marital arrangement with a friend. “The relationship’s not working and the divorce rate’s through the roof. I think when it comes to our children it’s going to be hard to always explain [because] I don’t necessarily want this for them.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
Us Weekly reached out to A&E for comment.
