News Releases

Pennsylvania man pleads guilty to possession of child pornography

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to a federal charge of possession of child pornography, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Brandon J. Brothers, 30, of Houtzdale, Pa., admitted that he possessed videos and images as computer graphic files containing images of child pornography, which had been shipped in interstate or foreign commerce.

Brothers faces 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced June 7, 2012. He remains in federal custody.

This investigation was part of Operation Predator, a nationwide HSI initiative to protect children from sexual predators, including those who travel overseas for sex with minors, Internet child pornographers, criminal alien sex offenders, and child sex traffickers. HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. This hotline is staffed around the clock by investigators.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Valkovci, Jr. is prosecuting the case.