Augusta man Accused of Possessing Child Pornography

Monday, February 24th, 2025 -- 2:01 PM

(WEAU staff, WEAU) An Augusta man was accused of possessing child pornography.

According to WEAU staff, a criminal complaint shows 24-year-old Branden Molinaro is being charged with five counts of possession of child pornography, exposing a child to harmful material, and use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.

An initial Cybertip was received on August 30, 2024 to the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported on February 11, 2024, they received a Cybertip from Snapchat regarding online enticement and possession of child pornography.

The Sheriff’s Office applied for a warrant and obtained the reader reports of Molinaro’s Snapchat report, finding conversations with him and over 30 different individuals who made comments stating they were under 18.

On February 20, 2025, after having obtained a warrant, officers conducted a traffic stop of Molinaro and took him into custody. A cash bond was set at $10,000.

A preliminary hearing is set for March 4 at 1:30 p.m.

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