Detention motion: Branson entertainers had 46 videos of underage girl

A search warrant executed June 13 at the home of Branson entertainers Garry and Janine Carson turned up 46 videos of an underaged girl, with several of the videos featuring nude or semi-nude dances by the child and Janine Carson, according to detention motions filed today in U. S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

The detention motion for Garry Carson indicated he was naked while filming the two and considered the videos to be "fashion shows."

Janine Carson's detention motion indicated she initially denied the allegations, but later said they were doing "fashion shows."

The Carsons, who perform a magic show at two Branson venues and also perform in Las Vegas, are charged with sexual exploitation of children. An indictment was unsealed Thursday.

Initial appearances for the Carsons were held this morning in U. S. District Court in Springfield. Their arraignments and detention hearings will be held separately Thursday.

The allegations against the couple are detailed in the detention motion.

On June 13, 2025, members of the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force executed a federal search warrant upon the residence of defendants, JANINE and GARRY CARSON, and seized multiple digital storage devices, including a cellular telephone and computer.

The devices were subsequently forensically examined yielding the discovery of approximately 46 video recordings depicting an identified minor (MV1). Several of the videos depict MV1 engaged in acts of striptease along with defendant JANINE CARSON. 

For example, one such video depicts MV1 entering room bottomless, attired in high heels, and a shirt. MV1 dances for the camera and exits the room.

JANINE CARSON then enters the room wearing a see-through robe and exposes her bare buttocks and vagina to the camera. Several other video recordings depict MV1, completely nude, tumbling down a cushion. These videos were recorded in slow motion.

Both defendants were interviewed on scene. GARRY CARSON ultimately acknowledged that he filmed MV1 and his wife while naked and characterized such productions as “fashion shows.”

This Court is obligated to consider “the nature and circumstances of the offense charged, including whether the offense… involves a minor victim… .” 

The evidence against the defendant is overwhelming.

Wherefore, based upon the foregoing, the United States submits that there is clear and convincing evidence that there are no conditions which the Court could place upon the defendant that would reasonably assure the defendant’s appearance in Court and the safety of the community.

The Government therefore requests that a detention hearing be held and that the defendant be detained pending trial of this matter.

From the detention motion for Janine Carson:

JANINE CARSON initially denied any knowledge of the above-described video recordings. JANINE CARSON, after being confronted with the contents of one such recording, asserted that she and MV1 were doing a fashion show.