Former assistant basketball coach charged with sexual exploitation of child

GREAT FALLS – A former assistant basketball coach at Stonechild College on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation was arraigned today on an indictment accusing him of crimes involving sexual exploitation of a child, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Christopher Brown, 31, of Box Elder, pleaded not guilty to sexual exploitation of a child, transportation of child pornography and sexual abuse of a minor.

If convicted of the most serious crime, Brown faces a mandatory minimum 15 years to 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and at least five years to life of supervised release.

The indictment is merely an accusation. Brown is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided. Brown is detained pending further proceedings.

Brown, who worked as an assistant basketball coach at Stonechild College, initially was charged by a criminal complaint with sexual abuse of a minor.

The indictment alleges that in January in Hill County and on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, Brown sexually exploited a child and used a cell phone to transport an image of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also alleges that between July 2018 and January 2020, Brown engaged in a sexual act with a minor.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Cobell is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the FBI and Rocky Boy’s Police Department.

Pacer case reference. 20-12.