Montgomery, AL – Federal Investigation Leads to Long-Term Sentence
A Phenix City, Alabama man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson of the Middle District of Alabama.
On May 12, 2025, Corey Joseph Brand, 46, was ordered to serve 360 months in prison by a federal judge. In addition to his sentence, Brand will be placed on supervised release for five years following his incarceration and will be required to register as a sex offender. Under federal law, there is no parole in the system.
Investigation & Criminal Charges
The case against Brand was initiated in September 2023, when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received a tip regarding the online upload of child sexual abuse materials via a social media platform. The account in question falsely claimed to belong to an active-duty soldier in Georgia. The information was referred to the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), which ultimately identified Corey Joseph Brand as the individual responsible for the uploads.
Further investigation revealed that Brand had deceptively used another person’s identity to establish the account. Though he had previously served in the U.S. Army, he had already been discharged prior to the offense.
Search Warrant & Forensic Evidence
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Brand’s residence in Phenix City, where multiple electronic devices were examined. A forensic analysis uncovered:
- Numerous images of child sexual abuse material stored on his devices.
- Evidence of distribution, indicating the materials were shared with others.
- Proof that Brand had previously exploited a minor victim to produce illegal content.
In 2024, a federal grand jury in Montgomery, Alabama charged Brand with producing and distributing child sexual abuse material. He pleaded guilty to these charges on February 7, 2025.
Law Enforcement Efforts & Prosecution
This case was jointly investigated by the following agencies:
- Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office (Georgia)
- Columbus, Georgia Police Department
- Phenix City, Alabama Police Department
- Auburn, Alabama Police Department
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara S. Ratz.
Project Safe Childhood & Future Prevention Efforts
Brand’s conviction was secured under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation. The project focuses on identifying perpetrators, locating and rescuing victims, and strengthening enforcement against individuals who use the internet to exploit minors.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit Justice.gov/PSC.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Corey Joseph Brand reflects federal commitment to protecting children from online exploitation. The combined efforts of law enforcement, child protection organizations, and the judicial system demonstrate the importance of identifying, prosecuting, and preventing crimes against minors in an increasingly digital landscape.
