Kalamazoo-Area Man Sentenced To 25 Years In Federal Prison For Producing Child Pornography

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – Brandon Jacob Cochran, 26, formerly from Portage, Michigan, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for producing child pornography, U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge announced today. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Janet T. Neff imposed a 10-year term of supervised release that will commence once Cochran is released from imprisonment. Cochran will also be required to register as a sexual offender.

          Cochran pled guilty on February 5, 2018. He admitted that he had molested and digitally penetrated a three-year-old child, and he had used his cellphone to photograph the abuse. In its sentencing memorandum, the U.S. Attorney’s Office argued in favor of a lengthy sentence, emphasizing that the victim in this case was only three years old and particularly vulnerable to Cochran’s predation. Moreover, Cochran had a history of sexually abusive conduct, and he had amassed a sizable collection of child pornography in addition to the images he created. The government argued that a lengthy sentence was needed both to protect the public and “to reflect the gravity and seriousness of the defendant’s crimes, to promote respect for the law, and to justly punish the defendant.”

          This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney's Office, county prosecutor's offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following web site: www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

          The Detroit and Cleveland Divisions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Portage Police Department, and Michigan State Police investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean M. Lewis prosecuted the case.

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