Bail Set at $250K for SD Man Who Sent Explicit Material to ‘Dance Moms' Star

A San Diego man accused of sending explicit material to a young star of the Lifetime show “Dance Moms” will be held on $250,000 bail.

Bail for Phoenix Sundown was raised from the initial $25,000 to $250,000. Deputy District Attorney Carlos Campbell said after court on Thursday the case involves four underage victims – one of whom is the reality TV star -- who received explicit material from Sundown.

Sundown faces four counts of distributing harmful material to a minor. The 36-year-old also was charged with cruelty to an animal.

Campbell declined to release specifics on the case, citing the active investigation and the fact that it involves minors.

Sundown was arrested Tuesday after Pennsylvania Postal inspectors found suspicious packages sent to 11-year-old Jojo Siwa, a cast member of the Lifetime show featuring the Pittsburgh-based dance school.

Her nickname is "JoJo with a Bow Bow" for her fondness of hair bows and shiny accessories.

Sundown was apparently so infatuated with the youngster he tattooed her portrait on his neck, investigators allege.

Police and Allegheny County's bomb squad were at the Murrysville, Pennsylvania, post office Tuesday evening investigating the report of five suspicious packages reportedly implicating Sundown in the crimes.

A judge on Thursday imposed a protective order barring Sundown from having any contact with the minors, including Siwa.

If convicted of all charges, Sundown faces 5 years and 8 months in prison.

Contact Us