Former Middle School Teacher Sentenced For Child Pornography

Former teacher Brian O. Brannen, age 42, formerly of Albany, Georgia was sentenced September 17, 2015 by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, United States District Judge in Albany, Georgia. Mr. Brannen was sentenced to 78 months imprisonment for possession of child pornography and will be required to register as a sex offender.          

On April 3, 2014, a young woman who had been staying with Mr. Brannen reported to law enforcement that she had seen child pornography and other pornographic images on his computer. The Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Mr. Brannen’s apartment and discovered the images of child pornography located in a folder on the desktop computer. These files had names and descriptions that were extremely graphic and correctly identified the files as depictions of child pornography.

While under pretrial supervision, Mr. Brannen was arrested by Dooly County Sheriff’s Office for Terroristic Threats and Acts on September 3, 2014. Based on his arrest, his pretrial bond was revoked. He has remained in custody since that time.

“Child pornography offenses are always disturbing because the child victims are robbed of their innocence and dignity at a tender age,” United States Attorney Michael J. Moore said. “This case is made even worse because Mr. Brannen maintained this material where it was seen by a young woman staying in his home and because he abused the privilege of being allowed to be out on bond awaiting trial. His inability to conform his conduct to what our society rightfully expects certainly warrants the sentence imposed.”

The case was investigated by the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office together with the Department of Homeland Security. Assistant United States Attorney Jim Crane prosecuted the case on behalf of the Government.

Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pam Lightsey at the United States Attorney’s Office at 478-752-3511.