The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Fugitive Apprehension Unit arrested 43-year-old Christopher John Michael Brown (W/M, DOB: 11/10/1982) on a warrant for two counts of Using a Computer to Solicit a Child for Sexual Activity, two counts of Viewing Child Pornography, and one count each of Lewd or Lascivious Exhibition Using a Computer, Transmission of Harmful Material to a Minor, Interfering with Child Custody, Unlawful Use of a Two-way Communication Device, Harmful Communication to a Minor, and Tampering with Evidence.
On May 15, 2026, MCSO received information that a father located concerning messages from Brown on the juvenile victim’s cellphone. The messages contained explicit sexual conversations, requests for nude photos of the child, and advice for the victim to speak in code and destroy the cellphone before her parents located it. Deputies also learned that the juvenile victim ran away from home in late April when Brown texted that he was there to pick her up.
On May 18, 2026, Major Crimes Detective Zachary Elliot conducted a manual review of the victim’s cellphone and discovered valuable evidence had been tampered with. He learned that Brown, who is the owner of the phone and provided it to the victim, was remotely blocking applications to prevent detectives from viewing their conversations.
A search warrant was obtained for a digital forensic review of the contents, which uncovered explicit plans for sexual activity, files containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) of the victim, and nude photos and videos of himself that Brown sent to the child victim. After reviewing the evidence gathered, Detective Elliot obtained a warrant for Brown’s arrest.
Brown was placed under arrest during a traffic stop in the area of NE Baseline Road and NE 24th Street. He was transported to the Marion County Jail, where he remains without bond.
Due to the nature of these crimes and the predatory behaviors exhibited by Brown, detectives believe he may have additional victims. If you have any information about other crimes perpetrated by Brown, please call Detective Elliot at (352) 368-3847.
