MIAMI, FL – A man has been arrested in Brickell after authorities discovered he had downloaded and viewed numerous images of child pornography, some involving infants, according to Miami’s Special Victims Unit. The suspect, 38-year-old Brandon Cotton, was apprehended at his apartment building on Thursday morning, where police say he confessed to the charges.
Detectives removed multiple MacBooks, storage devices, and a cell phone from Cotton’s residence, revealing evidence of pornographic images involving victims as young as one month old. Cotton reportedly used a specific app to participate in a group chat where users exchanged illegal content.
Miami Police Department’s Special Victims Unit received a cyber tip in October, leading to an investigation that culminated in Thursday’s arrest. Undercover detectives, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of their work, said Cotton provided a full confession, detailing how he obtained and stored the illicit material. He allegedly organized the files in a two-way storage drive with specific folders for the content.
Among the 15 images found, one depicted a young boy, aged between four and six, with a black mask and hands tied, while an adult committed a sexual act. The graphic details of Cotton’s arrest report underscore the gravity of the charges.
Cotton, who worked as an art director, is now facing 15 counts of possessing child pornography. His neighbors expressed shock and disbelief upon learning about the arrest. “It’s not good. Not good,” one neighbor remarked, struggling to find words.
Authorities have highlighted the widespread nature of these crimes, noting that offenders can range from celebrities to everyday individuals. The case underscores the ongoing battle against child exploitation in the digital age.
Cotton remains in custody and is expected to appear before a judge soon, where it will be determined if bail will be set.