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Cleveland police patrolman indicted on child pornography charges

'At the time of the offenses, Crites was employed as a patrolman with the Cleveland Police Department.'

CLEVELAND — A Parma man, who authorities say was employed as a patrolman with the Cleveland Division of Police at the time of the allegations, has been indicted on child pornography charges.

The Department of Justice released details Monday, saying 32-year-old Brandon N. Crites was indicted on one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

“Crites, between 2022 and 2023, received and distributed numerous images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, and possessed a laptop and hard drives that contained child pornography in September 2023, according to the indictment,” the press release stated. "At the time of the offenses, Crites was employed as a patrolman with the Cleveland Police Department."

Per Crites' indictment, at least one image found in his possession involved a "prepubescent minor or minor who had not attained 12 years of age." 

He has pled not guilty to both charges. He remains in the custody of U.S. Marshals. A detention hearing has been set for Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 1 p.m.

The Cleveland Division of Police says it became aware of the FBI investigation into Crites in September 2023 and immediately placed him on restricted duty assignments, working with no public contact. 

On Friday, Crites was arrested by the Cleveland Police Internal Affairs unit after an arrest warrant was issued. He was immediately turned over to the FBI. A spokesperson for the Cleveland Division of Police says Crites was relieved from duty after his arrest and will be suspended without pay pending "adjudication of the criminal charges." 

Crites was hired by the Cleveland Division of Police in January 2019 and had most recently been assigned to the basic patrol section in the second district.

A trail date has been scheduled for Dec. 11. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer King.

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