Maryland Man Sentenced for Sexually Exploiting Minors to Produce CSAM

Baltimore, Maryland – A Maryland man learned his fate in federal court for committing child sex abuse crimes.

U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced Mark Travis Brigham, 37, of Mount Airy, to 25 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for sexually exploiting a child and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Brigham pled guilty to the charges in June 2026.

Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge Akil Baldwin, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) – Maryland; Sheriff Charles A. Jenkins, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office; and J. Charles Smith III, State’s Attorney for Frederick County.

According to court documents, between September 2023 and August 2024, Brigham persuaded, induced, enticed, and coerced three minor females, between 13 and 14 years old, to engage in sexually explicit conduct. He used his cellphone to produce multiple sexually explicit images of the victims. Brigham also placed a hidden camera in a bathroom and secretly recorded adults and minors showering and using the toilet.

On August 6, 2025, investigators executed a warrant at Brigham’s Mount Airy residence. During the , law enforcement seized a tablet, digital camera with a SD card, and two cellphones, along with 35 firearms, ammunition, and a magazine. Investigators then examined the devices and uncovered the CSAM files.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information Project Safe Childhood, visit justice.gov/psc . For more information Internet safety education, visit justice.gov/psc and click on the “Resources” tab on the left of the page.

U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and State’s Attorney’s Office for Frederick County, for their work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandria A. Bell and Paul E. Budlow who prosecuted the federal case.

For more information the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, visit justice.gov/usao-md .

Kevin Nash [email protected] 410-209-4946