Metro Detroit Gymnastics Photographer Sentenced In Child Porn Case

ROYAL OAK, MI — An Oakland County gymnastics photographer was convicted Tuesday for distributing child porn.

David Eric Yellen, 58, of Royal Oak, will spend the next seven years in federal prison, followed by another ten years of supervised release.

He was initially charged with distribution and possession of child pornography after federal agents found more than 1,500 pictures of children on his home computer. He pleaded guilty in May to the distribution of child pornography.

The criminal complaint said that Yellen admitted to FBI agents that he had child pornography on his computer and electronic devices. FBI officials tracked Yellen after federal investigators were investigating a file-sharing service where child pornography is shared among predators, investigators said.

Although he currently lives in Michigan, officials said Yellen traveled nationally as a gymnastics photographer and videographer for several years. He worked as a freelance photographer who shoots photos and videos of children’s gymnastics meets, according to officials.

Yellen told FBI agents that he would often take photos of children’s bare feet during gymnastics meets and then used the photos for his own pleasure, according to officials.

Yellen admitted to having child pornography on his electronic devices but denied uploading or downloading child pornography. He said that he had downloaded child pornography ten years ago but said that he did not know that the images could be shared by other people, he told investigators.

The criminal complaint said that Yellen’s hard drive had a folder entitled “BFK” for barefoot kids and agents said there were more than 200 images of children’s bare feet in the folder.

While investigating Yellen, federal agents created a website where the public can provide information by filling out this questionnaire. Anyone with information can also contact the FBI by email by clicking here.