Source: Office of United States Attorneys
WASHINGTON – Zachary Silas Brandner, 28, of the District of Columbia, was charged by indictment, unsealed today in U.S. District Court, with allegedly distributing multiple videos of child pornography to an undercover police officer. Last week, U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Zia M. Faruqui ordered Brandner held without bond.
The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro of the District of Columbia, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Steven V. Jensen of the Washington Field Office, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
According to the affidavit, on April 1, 2025, Brandner interacted with another individual on multiple online messaging platforms. During the course of that conversation, Brandner distributed videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, including the abuse of an infant. Law enforcement agents also obtained evidence indicating that Brandner was interacting with at least one other individual about his interest in child sexual abuse material.
This case is being investigated by FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force and the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Janani Iyengar.
An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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