Former Neighbors With Benefits reality star Tony McCollister has been arrested for two different sex crimes.
McCollister, 43, was arraigned on Thursday, December 25, per Cincinnati’s WLWT outlet, where he was charged with pandering obscene content involving a minor and sexual conduct with an animal.
In court documents obtained by WLWT, McCollister allegedly knowingly uploaded child sexual abuse material to his Google account and engaged in sexual activities with two pet dogs.
McCollister was granted $250,000 bail on Thursday, and was also ordered to have no contact with any children or pets. His next court hearing is set for Tuesday, December 30.
Tony and his wife, Diana McCollister, previously starred on A&E’s short-lived Neighbors With Benefits docuseries in 2015, highlighting their lifestyle as swingers. The show was canceled 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.”
According to Diana, their marriage had also hit rough patches because of their unconventional lifestyle.
“There’s definitely ups and downs with it. Definitely harder times. Arguments and disagreements,” she told the outlet. “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.”
While speaking with Fox, Tony reiterated how he was on the same page as his wife.
“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. “Be happy with your marriage. We’re happy with ours. The lifestyle isn’t for everyone.”
Tony continued, “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.”
In the pilot episode of Neighbors With Benefits, Tony and Diana attempted to recruit a new couple into their swinging arrangement.
“Like, you guys are both good looking,” Diana told her neighbors. “That’s not always like that.”
After Diana tried to get her friends to join in, several of Tony’s other pals expressed their discomfort with the arrangement.
“What we do isn’t for everybody, and I agree with that,” Tony responded. “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.”
Luxury Handbag Shopping has reached out to A&E for comment.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
