{"id":39374,"date":"2026-10-22T00:10:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T00:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/?p=39374"},"modified":"2026-10-21T20:10:54","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T00:10:54","slug":"bricks-and-minifigs-102026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/bricks-and-minifigs-102026\/","title":{"rendered":"Bricks and Minifigs 102026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Bricks & Minifigs\u2013Reckless Ben controversy<\/span> (also called the \u201cLEGO scandal\u201d or \u201c$200K Star Wars LEGO debacle\u201d) is a multi-year franchise, consignment, YouTube, and police-related dispute that began with a private collection in Oregon and expanded into viral videos, dueling lawsuits, police encounters in Utah, a settlement with the original family, a short-lived rival store in Arizona, and ongoing civil rights litigation as of October 21, 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

Origins: The Consignment (2023)<\/span><\/p>\n

In late 2023, Bryan Mansell arranged to consign a large collection of sealed Star Wars LEGO sets\u2014built over years by his elderly father, Ed Mansell (then around 83 and ill)\u2014to the Bricks & Minifigs (BAM) franchise store in Keizer (Salem area), Oregon. The store was then operated by franchisees Chrystal Law-Gorman (sometimes referred to as Chrystal Law) and her husband Benjamin Gorman.<\/span><\/p>\n

The collection was promoted locally as one of the larger private Star Wars LEGO holdings, with valuations circulating in the $150,000\u2013$200,000+ range (including rare sets such as Cloud City). BAM\u2019s own store Facebook page at the time used similar high figures for promotion. The consignment agreement (between Mansell and the local franchisees) generally provided for the store to sell the sets, retain a percentage, and return unsold inventory or proceeds. Some sets were sold, with partial payments made to the family; the exact remaining amount and accounting later became contested.<\/span><\/p>\n

BAM Franchising Inc. (Provo\/Utah-based, CEO Ammon McNeff) is a multi-hundred-location franchise specializing in buying, selling, and trading used and new LEGO. Corporate has consistently stated that third-party consignment of this type was unauthorized, not part of the standard model (which focuses on direct buy\/sell\/trade), and violated franchise rules\u2014though franchise documents have referenced \u201cconsignment services\u201d in places, creating later disputes over authorization.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Store Seizure and Ownership Change (November 2024)<\/span><\/p>\n

By November 2024 the Keizer franchise was in severe financial distress (reports cited unpaid royalties, lease, and vendor obligations in the range of nearly $200,000). The Gormans\/Law-Gorman informed corporate of insolvency and plans involving a career change or relocation. On the night of November 14, 2024, BAM corporate seized the store. Brandon Best (a Utah-linked representative) took control; Ring camera\/security footage and police records later captured statements that the incoming operators would assume consignment obligations. A new entity (Salem-Baker Bricks) was incorporated the next day at the store address.<\/span><\/p>\n

The former franchisees allege they were locked out without proper notice or compensation, under threat of police involvement, and that corporate seized assets including the Mansell consignment. They later sued BAM (filings in 2026) for breach, fraud, defamation, and related claims. BAM has countered that the termination and possession followed franchise defaults and breaches.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the seizure, the Mansells sought the return of unsold inventory or full accounting. New operators Brandon Best and Joshua Johnson (both Utah residents; the store operated under Baker Bricks\/related entities) denied knowledge of the full consignment details or possession of the remaining sets, or stated that remaining inventory was limited. Disputes arose over stickers\/labels on boxes, inventory records, POS data, and whether sets remained in the back or a cupboard. Former employees and later statements described stickered boxes being present post-takeover. Oregon police (Keizer\/Marion County) reviewed the matter multiple times and treated it as civil rather than criminal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Viral Escalation: Reckless Ben (Spring 2026)<\/span><\/p>\n

The story gained massive attention in May 2026 when YouTuber Benjamin Paul Schneider (known as Reckless Ben) released investigative videos. The first, roughly titled around tracking \u201cthe thief who stole $200,000 of LEGO,\u201d accused BAM corporate and the new operators of improperly retaining or mishandling the collection, of police cover-ups, and more. Videos drew millions of views, coverage from outlets and creators, and public pressure. Schneider organized GoFundMe campaigns (raising substantial sums for the family and related costs), publicity stunts (including a satirical \u201cWe Steal From Old People\u201d branding), and efforts to serve papers or document the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

In March 2026, Schneider and associates traveled to American Fork, Utah (home area of Joshua Johnson and near BAM operations). Encounters included attempts to contact Johnson at home, placing signs, filming, and serving or attempting civil process. American Fork Police Department (AFPD) responded to complaints. Schneider was arrested (charges including stalking, targeted residential picketing, disorderly conduct, and trespassing related to alleged stunts such as posing as a UPS driver). Associates were stopped, detained, or arrested in traffic stops and an armed search warrant raid on an Airbnb on or around March 11, 2026. Bodycam footage was later released (partially redacted). No one was ultimately charged with crimes from the Airbnb events in the later civil rights framing; the search found no stolen LEGO or other expected evidence. Schneider and supporters alleged bias, overreach, shoulder injury during arrest, and improper coordination. AFPD and Chief Cameron Paul released statements defending actions while later acknowledging procedural issues (e.g., warrant affidavit problems) in recorded meetings.<\/span><\/p>\n

The videos and public pressure led to harassment reports at some other BAM stores, temporary closures (e.g., a Sacramento location), and intensified media coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Corporate Responses, Lawsuits, and the Settlement with the Mansells<\/span><\/p>\n

BAM issued public statements and blog posts denying theft, arguing the dispute originated solely with the unauthorized former-franchisee arrangement, that corporate and the new operators were not parties to it, that remaining inventory values were far lower than $200,000 (citing spreadsheets in the $60k\u2013$100k range or less for disputed portions), and that some accounting discrepancies predated the takeover. They closed the Keizer\/Salem store permanently (June 2026), citing gross negligence by prior owners and the social media campaign, and parted ways with Best and Johnson in that context.<\/span><\/p>\n

In late May 2026 BAM filed a Utah lawsuit (including RICO and defamation claims) against Schneider, Bryan Mansell, and others, alleging a coordinated harassment, extortion, and false-statement campaign. Temporary restrictions on Schneider\u2019s speech were sought and later adjusted via court orders and mediation agreements. The former franchisees (Law-Gorman\/Gorman) pursued their own claims against corporate.<\/span><\/p>\n

On August 19, 2026, BAM and the Mansell family announced a comprehensive settlement via mediation. BAM compensated the family for losses tied to the consignment (terms not fully public; described as making them whole for the arrangement), issued an unqualified apology for the prolonged uncertainty and frustration, and dismissed claims against Mansell. The Mansells released claims against BAM, its leadership, Johnson, Best, and related parties, and assigned their original consignment claims to BAM (allowing BAM to potentially pursue the former operators). Some sets were returned around early September 2026 (reports of roughly 35 sets, not all original). This resolved the core family dispute but did not end all litigation.<\/span><\/p>\n

American Fork Police Civil Rights Suit (October 2026)<\/span><\/p>\n

On October 14, 2026, four people who assisted Schneider (Sheldon Norcross, Tyler Shaw, Sierra Lauts, and Steven Allen) filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in Utah against the City of American Fork and 13 AFPD officers\/detectives. The 52-page complaint (19 counts) alleges First and Fourth Amendment violations over four days in March 2026: traffic stops (including prolonged drug\/alcohol testing), phone seizures, arrests, interrogations, and the Airbnb search warrant raid. Plaintiffs claim none were charged, the warrant affidavit was flawed (with Chief Paul later acknowledging issues), and department training\/policies were inadequate. The suit cites bodycam and other records; Schneider himself is not a plaintiff. It remains pending as of mid-to-late October 2026. Related public records, interviews with the chief, and community commentary continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Arizona Reckless Bricks Store (September 2026)<\/span><\/p>\n

In mid-September 2026, a former BAM Southeast Tucson, Arizona location (operated by Theodore\/TJ and Ingrid Roberts at 8110 S Houghton Road) rebranded and opened as Reckless Bricks & Toys, with Schneider present and promoting it. Schneider pitched it as \u201cthe first domino,\u201d offering other franchisees a zero-royalty rebrand alternative to BAM\u2019s royalty structure (typically the greater of 6% of revenue or a minimum monthly fee) while advertising the concept. BAM acknowledged the opening and stated it was taking swift action.<\/span><\/p>\n

The store operated only briefly. BAM\u2019s West Coast franchise coach claimed the company bought out the lease, closed it, and required vacation of the premises. Conflicting accounts emerged from the operators (notices saying the store was independently owned, temporarily closed, and \u201cnot going anywhere\u201d), the landlord\u2019s office (reports that no BAM lease was signed), and later website updates indicating a move or new location was coming. Status remained unresolved or closed\/relocating into October 2026. Schneider continued other activity, including mentions of additional locations or projects, while litigation and mediation with BAM continued under court-ordered restraints (no threats, no proximity to BAM properties, limits on certain conduct).<\/span><\/p>\n

Broader Context and Status as of October 21, 2026<\/span><\/p>\n

The saga highlighted tensions in franchise models around unauthorized side arrangements, inventory accounting during transitions, social-media amplification of local disputes, and the line between investigation, advocacy, and alleged harassment. Valuation of the collection was never a single agreed figure; the $200,000 headline was promotional\/upper-end and larger than later documented spreadsheets or remaining disputed portions. Police in Oregon treated the core LEGO claim as civil. Utah events produced criminal charges against Schneider that proceeded in limited form and a separate civil rights suit against the department.<\/span><\/p>\n

BAM settled the family matter, closed the disputed Oregon store, and continues other litigation (including with former franchisees and aspects of the Schneider matter). Schneider\u2019s videos, the GoFundMe, the Arizona rebrand attempt, and the October police lawsuit keep the story active. Public records, bodycam releases, court filings, BAM blog statements, and independent trackers (such as The BAM Map) provide the primary source material, with positions on both sides remaining contested on many factual points.<\/span><\/p>\n


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In-Depth Essay on Bricks and Minifigs Debacle to 2026<\/font><\/a><\/div>\n
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Sent from my iPhone<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Bricks & Minifigs\u2013Reckless Ben controversy (also called the \u201cLEGO scandal\u201d or \u201c$200K Star Wars LEGO debacle\u201d) is a multi-year franchise, consignment, YouTube, and police-related dispute that began with a private collection in Oregon and expanded into viral videos, dueling lawsuits, police encounters in Utah, a settlement with the original family, a short-lived rival store […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39375,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-internships"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39374"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39374\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duck9.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}