$3.1 Million Bond for Man Facing 29 Child Sex Crime Charges

On April 22, 2025, 37-year-old Jason Brannan of Castle Hayne was ordered to post a $3.1 million secured bond after being indicted on 29 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO) arrested Brannan in January 2025 following an investigation that began in mid-2019.

Initial charges against Brannan included two counts of statutory sex offense with a child and three counts of indecent liberties with a child, all stemming from incidents allegedly occurring in June 2019. Further inquiry led investigators to find additional evidence of exploitation, resulting in 24 more counts—eight each of first-, second-, and third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

Court documents indicate that during searches of Brannan’s residence, law enforcement seized videos and photographs depicting minors engaging in sexual activities. The offenses in question span December 2022, March 2023, February 2024, and June 2024, showing a multi-year pattern of alleged misconduct.

Brannan remains in custody at the New Hanover County Detention Facility. During the bond hearing, prosecutors argued that the volume and nature of the evidence posed a significant flight risk and danger to the community. His attorney did not contest the bond amount but indicated plans to challenge the admissibility of certain digital evidence in pretrial motions.

NHCSO detectives continue to analyze seized devices and interview potential witnesses as part of the active investigation. The case is scheduled to return to court on May 12, 2025, for a preliminary hearing.