Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Bryan James Shuping, 57, was taken into custody on charges related to child pornography after customers at Publix reported him for taking photos of children.
At approximately 7 p.m. on September 4, an officer from the Gainesville Police Department responded to the Westgate Publix (3315 W. University Avenue) following a report concerning an older white male photographing minors inside the store.
The officer identified the individual as Shuping, who denied capturing images of minors. He claimed he was merely photographing the area and hadn’t been aware it seemed as though he was photographing minors. Upon reviewing the store’s surveillance footage, the officer observed Shuping taking pictures of someone who seemed to be a white, pubescent juvenile male with his legs elevated. The photos were taken from a low vantage point, suggesting the phone might have been positioned between the juvenile’s legs.
Shuping reportedly allowed a search of his phone, during which the officer allegedly discovered numerous nude images of pubescent juvenile males displaying their genitals. Shuping faces charges on 10 counts of possessing child pornography.
Shuping has three felony convictions (one violent) and 15 misdemeanor convictions (none violent). He has served a state prison term, having been released in 2009. In March 2024, he was apprehended for video voyeurism after filming a man at a urinal in a restroom at Library West on the University of Florida campus; he entered a nolo contendere plea for video voyeurism and battery, receiving a 90-day jail sentence, followed by three years of probation. He breached the probation in June 2024 by failing to report to his probation officer. The probation officer noted that although Shuping had provided an address in Trenton, a relative suggested he was homeless in Gainesville. After being located and detained, he admitted to the probation violation and was sentenced to 364 days in jail.
Judge George Wright set bail at $250,000 on the new charges.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed originate from the arrest report and/or court records and are merely accusations. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
