A Maryland resident, Brandon Postow, 40, has been charged with distributing child pornography, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. The complaint was unsealed in the U.S. District Court.
Court documents indicate that beginning on January 15, 2026, Postow used Telegram to communicate about his sexual interest in children. During these exchanges, Postow—also known as “Michael Brandon Russell”—shared four videos depicting the sexual abuse of teenage and prepubescent boys. The documents also state that when another user mentioned having a young son, Postow expressed interest in abusing the child.
The announcement was made jointly by U.S. Attorney Pirro and FBI Assistant Director in Charge Darren B. Cox of the Washington Field Office.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Janani Iyengar is prosecuting the case.
The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in February 2006 to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood brings together federal, state, and local resources to find and prosecute those who exploit children online and to help identify and rescue victims. More information can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
“Charges in a complaint are merely allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” the release stated.
