BRUNSWICK — A former police officer charged with two counts of attempting to transmit obscene material to a minor is expected to plead guilty to one count in exchange for the other count being dropped, according to his attorney.
On Aug. 22, a court approved a motion to extend the period of time to indict Garrett Brosnan in order to allow more time to finalize a plea deal. Based on those discussions, Michael Cunniff, Brosnan’s attorney, said he anticipates Brosnan will plead guilty to one count and that the other will be dropped.
Cunniff said Brosnan has accepted responsibility for his actions, by resigning promptly from the Police Department and taking steps to surrender his officer certification. Further evidence of his acceptance will be presented in an upcoming appearance in U.S. District Court, likely to take place this month, he said.
Authorities began investigating Brosnan when concerned parents of a 13-year-old Arizona girl discovered a sexually explicit online conversation between Brosnan, under an alias, and their daughter.
The investigation ended when Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Kathryn Gamble, posing online as 14-year-old girl, initiated a conversation over the internet with Brosnan in which he allegedly sent her photos of his genitals. Brosnan was arrested by federal authorities on June 21 at the Brunswick police station.
Cunniff said Friday that Brosnan will probably have to register as a sex offender.
“This is a bit of an unusual case because it’s (an) attempted transmission,” Cunniff said. Under federal statute, Brosnan’s belief that he was sending indecent material to a minor “completes a crime.” But because the material never reached the minor, Cunniff said he isn’t yet sure how the statute will apply to Brosnan’s case.
Cunniff said sentencing should occur about 60 days after the court appearance. Brosnan faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.
Callie Ferguson can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 100 or cferguson@theforecaster.net. Follow Callie on Twitter: @calliecferguson.
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