Michigan man sentenced to 12 years in prison for possessing child pornography

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A Michigan man who possessed and accessed, with intent to view, child pornography involving prepubescent minors or minors under the age of 12 was sentenced today to 12 years in prison.

Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Vance Callender of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Detroit.

Brandon Scott Parsons, 28, of Bay City, Michigan, was also five years of supervised release by United States District Judge Thomas L. Ludington. Parsons pleaded guilty Dec. 23, 2020.

“This sentence should serve as a warning for those who target and prey on children,” said Acting US Attorney Mohsin. “The aggressive investigation and prosecution of child predators remains among the highest priorities for our office.”

According to court documents, on July 16, 2019, Parsons distributed eight images containing child pornography on social media platforms. A search warrant conducted on March 23, 2020, revealed an additional five images containing child pornography on an SD card in Parsons’s cellphone. The images involved minors under the age of 12 or prepubescent, and bondage and bestiality scenes. Parsons had been previously convicted on Feb. 17, 2015, of felony possession of child sexually abusive material and felony use of computers to commit a crime, in the 18th Judicial Circuit Court in Bay County.

The case was investigated by HSI. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Anca Pop.

This case was initiated under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, which was launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children. It is implemented through partnerships including the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The ICAC Task Force Program was created to assist state and local law enforcement agencies by enhancing their investigative response to technology facilitated crimes against children.

HSI is the principal investigative arm of DHS and a vital U.S. asset in combatting transnational crime and threats. One of HSI’s top priorities is to protect the public from crimes of victimization, and HSI’s child exploitation investigations program is a central component of this mission set. HSI is recognized as a global leader in this investigative discipline, and is committed to utilizing its vast authorities, international footprint and strong government and non-government partnerships to identify and rescue child victims, identify and apprehend offenders, prevent transnational child sexual abuse and help make the internet a safer place for children.

To report a crime, call 866-347-2423 (TTY for hearing impaired: 802-872-6196) or visit the ICE Tip Line.