Trans-identifying activist arrested for possession of child pornography in Smithville, Missouri

Melissa “Zev” Bottom, a 44-year-old biological female who identifies as a man, was arrested on April 24 and charged with two class B felony counts of possession of child pornography. Authorities indicated that Bottom could face additional charges as analysis of evidence seized from the home is still ongoing. The court set Bottom’s bond at $25,000.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office said the arrest followed a four-month investigation. Detectives served a search warrant at Bottom’s home after receiving a tip in December from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Investigators were able to identify Bottom through user data provided in the tip and seized several electronic devices from the home, which were found to contain multiple files of child sexual abuse material.

According to the probable cause statement from the Sheriff’s Office, Bottom admitted to watching child pornography for about six months and said the material was supplied by an individual named “Andrew” from the St. Louis area. Bottom told investigators the victims depicted were between the ages of 2 and 17 years old.

Bottom also operates a transgender and queer-themed online jewelry shop called “Wicked Sinz Metal.” Bottom has posted a number of pro-LGBT graphics on social media, and her Instagram bio refers to herself as a “pansexual” and a “transgender son.”

The Sheriff’s Office noted that it is part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, a national network of 61 coordinated task forces representing more than 5,400 agencies at the federal, state, and local levels dedicated to investigating and prosecuting online crimes against children.