Federal sentence follows investigation by local ICAC unit
A federal judge on Monday sentenced a Mobile man to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography, court records show. The defendant, 51-year-old Bradford Simmons, admitted that investigators found illicit images and videos on multiple devices during an investigation by the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit.
Simmons, a former U.S. Coast Guard member who served 21 years, pleaded guilty in April to one count of possession of child pornography. According to his written plea agreement, the government said agents seized an external hard drive from Simmons’ home that contained thousands of items that possibly included child sexual abuse material.
Evidence, attempted deletion and credit for time served
Prosecutors reported that Simmons had 20 illicit images and videos stored on his cellphone and 33 cached images on his laptop. The investigation also revealed he had a program on his laptop called "File Shredder" that advertises the ability to "shred (destroy) unwanted files beyond recovery." In court papers Simmons acknowledged using the program to conceal or destroy illicit files.
"With File Shredder you can remove files from your hard drive without fear they could be recovered."
At sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Beaverstock ordered Simmons to receive credit for the time he has already spent in custody since his arrest in June. In addition to the prison term, the judge imposed a 15-year term of supervised release following imprisonment and ordered $17,500 in restitution.
Judge's recommendations and local investigative role
The judge recommended that Simmons be permitted to participate in comprehensive treatment programs while in custody and during supervision, including substance abuse, mental health and sex offender treatment. The sentencing reflects both federal penalties for possession of child sexual abuse material and the collaborative work of local and federal investigators.
- Investigation: Mobile County Sheriff’s Office ICAC unit, 2023–2024
- Devices with illicit material: cellphone, laptop, external hard drive
- Court outcome: 5 years federal prison; 15 years supervised release; $17,500 restitution
Implications for Mobile community
The case underscores ongoing efforts by local law enforcement to identify and prosecute those who possess child sexual abuse material. The ICAC unit's work often involves digital forensics and coordination with federal agencies to trace and remove illicit material and bring cases to federal court when appropriate.
For residents, the outcome highlights two points: the seriousness with which federal courts treat possession of child pornography and the tools investigators use to pursue digital evidence, including scrutiny of software that advertises permanent file deletion. The court record shows that attempting to permanently erase files does not prevent seizure, forensic recovery or federal prosecution when probable cause exists.
| Item | Reported Amount |
|---|---|
| Images/videos on cellphone | 20 |
| Cached images on laptop | 33 |
| External hard drive contents | Thousands of items |
| Prison sentence | 5 years |
| Supervised release | 15 years |
| Restitution | $17,500 |
The sentencing was imposed in federal court, reflecting the nationwide statute that criminalizes possession of child sexual abuse material. The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office and federal prosecutors have not publicly detailed whether additional charges or investigations remain pending in related matters.
Members of the public who wish to report suspected child exploitation can contact the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office ICAC unit or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children tipline. Local investigators note community tips and digital forensic leads frequently play a role in identifying and removing illicit material from circulation.
