Phenix City man sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for producing and distributing child sexual abuse material
Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced today that a Phenix City man has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for producing and distributing child sexual abuse material. On May 12, 2025, a federal judge sentenced 46-year-old Corey Joseph Brand to 360 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Brand is also required to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal prison system.
The charges stem from a tip received in September 2023 by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which reported the online upload of explicit images involving a nude young female via a social media platform. The account’s user claimed to be an active-duty soldier stationed in Georgia. The tip was forwarded to the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID), which identified Corey Brand as the individual responsible for the uploads. Although Brand had once served in the Army, he had been discharged before the incident and had used another person’s identity to create the account.
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Brand’s residence in Phenix City, where they uncovered multiple electronic devices. Forensic analysis of these devices revealed a large cache of child sexual abuse material as well as evidence of its distribution. Investigators also discovered that Brand had previously used a minor victim to produce explicit content.
A federal grand jury in Montgomery indicted Brand in 2024 on charges of production and distribution of child sexual abuse material. He pleaded guilty on February 7, 2025.
The investigation was led by the Army CID and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with additional support from the Muscogee County (GA) Sheriff’s Office, the Columbus (GA) Police Department, the Phenix City (AL) Police Department, the Auburn (AL) Police Department, and NCMEC. Assistant United States Attorney Tara S. Ratz prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in May 2006 to combat the sexual exploitation of children. The program brings together federal, state, and local agencies to identify and apprehend offenders who exploit children online and to rescue victims.
Anyone with information related to the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local law enforcement or visit www.missingkids.org for resources and reporting tools.
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