Federal and International

Ex-Muncie-area Volleyball Coach Faces Federal Charge In Sexual Exploitation Case


U.S. Justice Department
U.S. Justice Department, Washington DC (Source: justice.gov)

Indianapolis, IN-(ENEWSPF)- A Muncie man is facing a federal charge that he allegedly engaged in illegal sexual conduct with minor children over a three (3) year period. Nolan M. Brand, 24, Muncie, has been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor. United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced the charges on January 26.

“This Office has sent a consistent message when it comes to the exploitation of children,” said Minkler. “When individuals abuse their position of trust to prey on children, they will feel the full force of the federal hammer.”

According to the criminal complaint, Brand began to have sexual contact with Minor Victim 1 in September of 2017, and his behavior continued until December 2017. The victim was less than 16 years old at the time, and the conduct occurred on a frequent basis over those three months. Brand admitted that the contact with Minor Victim 1 became sexual in nature when he used the Snapchat application to communicate with the child.

The illegal activity was reported to the Muncie Police Department on December 4, 2017. Brand was interviewed by Muncie Police and admitted to engaging in illegal sex acts with Minor Victim 1 on multiple occasions. During the recorded interview, when investigators had stepped out of the room, Brand admitted ‘oh my God, I have child porn on me . . . on my . . . phone.”  He later whispered, “oh my God, there are pictures . . . . Other girls, oh my God.”

Law enforcement officials quickly served search warrants. A forensic review of the electronic devices showed that Brand recorded some of the illegal sexual conduct involving Minor Victim 1 on his cellular phone, and then he downloaded it to a computer. Examiners also found sexually explicit images of a second under-age victim. That victim, Minor Victim 2, confirmed the existence of the images and that the images were produced at the request of Nolan Brand.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Muncie Police Department.

“This charge illustrates our commitment to protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children, from those who use a position of trust and authority to exploit them,” said W. Jay Abbott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “The FBI will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable those who prey on children.”

“I am grateful for the strong working relationship the Muncie Police Department has with our federal law enforcement partners,” said Chief Joe Winkle. “Because of this relationship, Muncie-area residents are safer.”

Brand remains in the custody of the US Marshal Service and will have his detention hearing January 31, 2018.

A criminal complaint is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in federal court.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Kristina M. Korobov who is prosecuting this case as for the government, Brand faces up to 30 years of imprisonment if convicted.

In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges.

“This prosecution demonstrates the office’s firm commitment to utilize and partner with law enforcement agencies to prosecute individuals engaged in the sexual exploitation of children,” the Department of Justice said in a statement.


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