Police: Real estate agent impersonated surgeon to exploit women

ARLINGTON — A Marysville real estate agent impersonated a modeling agent to sexually touch women and get them to send him nude photos, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

Brandon Wooten, 25, was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of two counts of first-degree criminal impersonation with sexual motivation Wednesday. The real estate agent posted bond hours later.

He maintains his innocence, his defense attorney told a Daily Herald reporter Thursday.

Wooten has worked in the county for the past seven years, according to his LinkedIn page.

He reportedly showed several homes to a married couple in the Arlington area around 2018. He had been friends with the couple for years, sheriff’s detective Larry Cole wrote in a report.

Wooten knew the couple was having money problems, according to a search warrant written by Cole. Wooten encouraged the wife to get into the modeling business to make money.

He reportedly told the woman he could help her create a modeling portfolio, because he had modeled in the past. He told the woman he worked as a medical assistant for a plastic surgeon whom he referred to as Dr. Otto, “Dr. O” for short.

Dr. Otto was transitioning into the modeling business, Wooten reportedly told the woman, and was looking for models to help him with the “breast augmentation consultation process.”

The wife could make $2,000 for an in-person consultation, or $200 to $300 for sending him pictures of her breasts, Wooten said, according to the search warrant. She agreed. Wooten reportedly gave her contact information for the doctor who would get in touch with her.

Wooten also reportedly offered to help the woman get a job in a pornographic film, suggesting she could earn up to $8,000.

On Sept. 9, 2020, Wooten went to the woman’s home to perform the “consultation” and “examined” her naked breasts. Wooten reportedly appeared to be entering data into his cell phone as he examined her. Wooten reportedly told the woman Dr. Otto had requested nude photos be sent to a Snapchat account called BABYJJAY33.

The woman eventually became convinced she was the victim of a scam. She couldn’t track down the supposed doctor herself. She told a detective she suspected Wooten was pretending to be Dr. Otto the entire time.

The woman reportedly contacted Wooten. He denied he misled her, saying he was the victim of a scam by Dr. Otto, according to documents filed in court.

At first, Wooten reportedly offered to help the woman by meeting her at the police station to provide proof he was not scamming her. Later, he refused to meet and cut off all contact. She never got paid for what she believed was legitimate modeling work.

According to detective Cole, the real estate agent allegedly approached another friend about a modeling opportunity with his “uncle,” also named Otto, the detective wrote. But this time “Otto” owned a modeling company in California. The woman could make about $5,000 for a three- to four-hour boudoir-style photo shoot.

Again, Wooten allegedly asked for a portfolio of pictures, the woman reported. The friend reported she had known Wooten for about 15 years and considered him a very close friend. It was never anything more than a friendship, the detective wrote.

“Wooten has been dishonest to the (victims) regarding the solicitation of the modeling opportunities,” Cole wrote. “It is also reasonable to say, Wooten has fictitiously taken on the identity of a plastic surgeon and as a modeling scout and communicated with both victims by way of fake email accounts and phone numbers he has built for his fraudulent scam, convincing both victims to provide him with very sensitive electronic nude images and videos of their bodies.”

Wooten’s defense attorney Laura Shaver said:

“The real news story is that these allegations were made 3-4 years ago and Mr. Wooten has continuously maintained his innocence and cooperated with the investigation at every turn,” Shaver wrote. “Because Mr. Wooten continues to maintain his innocence, on February 2, 2022, the investigating detective went to Mr. Wooten’s home with approximately 8 additional officers, arrested and jailed him even though Mr. Wooten has never been charged with a crime.”

Wooten recently posted on social media claiming he is a victim in the situation, and that he was threatened by the modeling agency, the detective’s report says.

Cole wrote: “Wooten continues to re-victimize the victims of this incident.”

Police suspect there may be other victims. Tips can be directed to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office at 425-388-3845.

Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; edennis@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterellen.