Chester Resident Faces Federal Prison Following Guilty Plea for Receiving Child Pornography via Encrypted Messaging Application

Brandon Wayne Roos faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to receiving child pornography via Telegram following a Montana border search.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 9:53 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana

Border Interdiction Leads to Federal Charges

The federal case against Brandon Wayne Roos began with a targeted enforcement action at the Sweetgrass Port of Entry on September 24, 2023. Acting on an investigative tip, U.S. Border Patrol agents intercepted Roos as he attempted to re-enter Montana from Canada. Upon seizing and inspecting his cellular device, authorities discovered a significant collection of sexually explicit videos involving minors, marking the beginning of a multi-agency investigation into the defendant's digital activities.

Digital Forensic Analysis Uncovers Extensive Library

A comprehensive search of the defendant's mobile phone revealed the depth of the illicit material being trafficked through encrypted channels. Investigators identified 151 images and 49 videos of child pornography that had been downloaded to the device. According to court documents, Roos utilized the Telegram application to facilitate these transactions, demonstrating the persistent challenge law enforcement faces with predators using private messaging platforms to bypass traditional internet monitoring.

Home Raid and Computer Seizure in Liberty County

Following the initial discovery at the border, law enforcement expanded the probe to the defendant's residence in Chester. During a subsequent interview, Roos admitted to both purchasing and downloading child pornography to his personal home computer. A forensic examination of the seized hardware confirmed the presence of an additional 50 images and eight videos, further solidifying the government's evidence regarding the defendant's long-term engagement with child exploitation material.