Denver, Colorado - A federal grand jury indicted a Colorado man and woman on charges of producing child pornography.
This case was investigated by the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
On May 6, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging both Brandon Tyler Hill, 29, of Colorado Springs, and Rhiannon Carnahan, 29, of Woodland Park, Colorado, both were charged with the following counts of production, and aiding and abetting one another’s production, of child pornography; and transportation, and aiding and abetting one another’s transportation, of child pornography. Prior to the indictment, Hill and Carnahan were charged via Criminal Complaints. Both defendants are detained without bond pending a resolution of their cases. Hill and Carnahan have appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge, where they have been advised of their rights and the charges pending against them.
If convicted on the child pornography production counts, Hill and Carnahan each face not less than 15 years, and not more than 30 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, for each count. They each also faces not less than five years, and not more than 20 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine if convicted of distributing or transporting child pornography.
This case was investigated by the Colorado Springs Police Department and HSI, with support provided by the Woodland Park Police Department.
Hill and Carnahan are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alecia Riewerts, District of Colorado Project Safe Childhood Coordinator.
The charges contained in the indictments are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 12,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
