An Emerson resident, Andrew Joseph Branigan, was sentenced on March 10 to 218 months in federal prison for receiving child pornography.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and federal prosecutors to address crimes involving the exploitation of children online. The sentence also includes a 15-year term of supervised release following imprisonment, with no possibility of parole in the federal system. Branigan was ordered to pay $18,000 in restitution.
According to public court documents, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a CyberTip indicating that a social media account linked to Branigan had uploaded files containing child sexual abuse material. In October 2024, law enforcement executed a search at Branigan’s home in Emerson and seized his cell phone. A forensic examination revealed that he used the device to receive and possess approximately 600 images and 50 videos depicting child sexual abuse. Branigan admitted to sending and receiving such material with other users on social media applications.
United States Attorney David C. Waterman of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentencing. The investigation involved the Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Criminal Investigation-Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Child Exploitation Task Force, and the Mills County Sheriff’s Office.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psc.
