Tony McCollister pleaded guilty Monday, Sept. 28, to 17 criminal counts in a Warren County child sex abuse case.
McCollister entered guilty pleas on 13 counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor and four counts of sexual conduct with an animal, Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said, Local 12 reported.
His bench trial is not over. McCollister still faces additional charges, including allegations that he and his former partner, Erica Grove, drugged and raped a child, WLWT reported.
Judge Robert Peeler of the Warren County Court of Common Pleas is presiding over the trial. Because McCollister chose a bench trial, Peeler will decide guilt or innocence on the remaining counts rather than a jury.
McCollister appeared on A&E's short-lived 2015 reality show "Neighbors with Benefits," which documented swinger couples in Warren County. The show was pulled after two episodes following viewer backlash.
How the case began
The investigation started after Google submitted a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about explicit material involving children connected to McCollister's IP address, according to Fox 19. Detective Rick Bens of the Warren County Sheriff's Office read graphic text messages between Grove and McCollister during Grove's trial that included discussions of sexually abusing a child.
Investigators alleged that Grove and McCollister drugged and raped a child and said they discovered videos showing sexual conduct involving dogs.
McCollister was arrested in December 2025. Grove was arrested shortly after. Both were given $250,000 bonds and were originally indicted on 24 counts each.
Grove's conviction
Grove's case went first. Peeler found her guilty Sept. 23 of two counts of gross sexual imposition and two counts of child endangering. He acquitted her on four rape charges and one count of corrupting another with drugs.
Grove had earlier pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual conduct with animals. Eight counts involving nude material of a child were dismissed before her trial.
Much of Grove's case centered on thousands of graphic text messages exchanged between her and McCollister. Prosecutors argued the messages documented actual abuse. The defense maintained they were fantasy.
"But it is fundamental that a civilized society does not punish for thoughts alone," Peeler said from the bench Sept. 23, explaining why he dismissed the more serious charges against Grove.
Grove left the courtroom in handcuffs and is being held by the Warren County Sheriff pending sentencing. Under Marci's Law, sentencing cannot proceed immediately.
What's next
It remains to be seen whether McCollister's defense will raise the same "fantasy" argument that Grove's attorneys used. No sentencing date has been set for either defendant. Peeler will rule on McCollister's remaining charges after the bench trial concludes.
