Ex-volleyball coach faces federal child exploitation charges

A former Muncie volleyball coach faces federal child sexual exploitation charges for allegedly having sex with two minors over a three-year period.

Nolan M. Brand, 24, is charged with exploiting two girls under the age of 16, recording sex acts on his phone and storing child pornography on computers and other devices, according to a statement issued Friday by U.S. Attorney Josh Minkler of the Southern District of Indiana. The former Muncie Central High School assistant volleyball coach faces federal charges of sexual exploitation of a child, attempted sexual exploitation of a child and trafficking child pornography.

Brand was arrested by Muncie police in December after a 15-year-old told police she and Brand had sex multiple times at his home and in his vehicle between September and December 2017. The FBI became involved shortly after Brand’s arrest. According to the statement from Minkler, “During the recorded interview, when investigators had stepped out of the room, Brand admitted, ‘Oh my God, I have child porn on me … on my … phone.’  He later whispered, ‘Oh my God, there are pictures … Other girls, oh my God.’”

Federal authorities obtained a search warrant and said they found child pornography including images of the 15-year-old and at least one other alleged victim on Brand’s electronic devices. The images include a second alleged victim who was 15 to 16 years old when they were recorded about four years ago, according to the charging information.

The second victim told authorities Brand “liked his girlfriends on the young side,” and that he had been an assistant volleyball coach at Wapahani High School in Randolph County at the time of her alleged exploitation, according to the federal criminal complaint against Brand. Brand also had been a coach for the Munciana Volleyball Club.

Minkler said in announcing the charges that Brand’s relationship with the first victim became sexual after the two began communicating via Snapchat, and that both victims said the sexual images were recorded at Brand’s urging.

“This Office has sent a consistent message when it comes to the exploitation of children,” Minkler said. “When individuals abuse their position of trust to prey on children, they will feel the full force of the federal hammer.”

“This charge illustrates our commitment to protect our most vulnerable citizens, our children, from those who use a position of trust and authority to exploit them,” said W. Jay Abbott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “The FBI will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement partners to identify and hold accountable those who prey on children.”

“I am grateful for the strong working relationship the Muncie Police Department has with our federal law enforcement partners,” said Chief Joe Winkle. “Because of this relationship, Muncie-area residents are safer.”

Brand remains in the custody of the US Marshal Service. His detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. The case is United States of America v. Nolan M. Brand, 1:18-mj-71.