Phenix City man sentenced for producing, distributing child sex abuse material

A man from Phenix City has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, said an announcement from U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson. 

The defendant, Corey Joseph Brand, was charged by a federal grand jury in 2024 before pleading guilty on Feb. 7, 2025. 

According to the announcement, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) was tipped off about child sex abuse material being featured on a social media site in 2023 by a user who claimed to be an active-duty soldier from Georgia.

The Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) then began investigating and found that Brand was the source of the material. It was found that he had previously served in the army and had been discharged and was using another's identity online. 

"A search warrant was executed at Brand’s residence in Phenix City, where agents examined multiple electronic devices," said the announcement. "Forensic analysis revealed numerous images of child sexual abuse materials stored on those devices along with evidence that the images had been distributed to others. Further investigation revealed that Brand had previously used a minor victim to produce child sexual abuse material."

Upon his release Brand will be required to remain on supervised release and to register as a sex offender.