Former Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Possessing Child Pornography

MOBILE, AL - Bradford Simmons, 51, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of possession of child pornography. Simmons entered his guilty plea on April 27, 2026.

According to court documents, from March 2023 through March 2024, law enforcement identified Simmons as a possible distributor of child pornography. Investigators obtained a search warrant for Simmons' residence and seized several electronic devices, which were subsequently examined.

Forensic examinations of the devices revealed hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children. The investigation also determined that, in March 2024, Simmons used a program called File Shredder to forensically wipe his computer every few days. As part of his plea agreement, Simmons admitted that he possessed more than 600 images of child pornography depicting prepubescent children engaged in sexual activity. He also admitted that he used File Shredder with the intent to impede the administration of justice and thereby obstructed justice.

United States District Chief Judge Beaverstock sentenced Simmons to 60 months in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release. As conditions of supervised release, Simmons must participate in sex offender treatment, submit to substance abuse testing and treatment, and participate in mental health treatment. He must also register as a sex offender and is prohibited from having contact with minors.

"Mr. Simmons' possession of hundreds of images of child pornography is reprehensible. This sentencing demonstrates the FBI's resolve to pursue child exploitation cases aggressively. Under Project Safe Childhood, our national effort to identify, investigate, and prosecute offenders, we will continue working with our partners to ensure those who harm children face justice," said Christopher Flowers, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Mobile Office.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court ordered Simmons to pay a $100 special assessment and $17,500 in restitution to victims.

The Mobile County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kacey Chappelear prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

This case was brought as 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 Attorneys' 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 about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about Internet safety education, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc/publications-resources