Brandon Cole

ALPENA – On May 6, the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from the Marcus Police Department in Marcus, Iowa, in regards to a person of interest accosting a minor online. Deputies from the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office performed surveillance on a residence on Samp Rd. in Alpena Township. On May 15th 2026, Deputies from the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on the residence, and electronics were seized. Deputies arrested a 30-year-old male, who is identified as Brandon Cole. The Alpena County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Mr. Cole with three felony counts of, ‘Computers-using to commit a crime-maximum imprisonment of 4 years or more but less than 10 years, Children-accosting for immoral purposes, and Police Officer/first responder-assault/resisting/obstructing.’ Mr. Cole was arraigned in the 88th District Court, where a bond was set at $50,000 cash or surety.

The Alpena County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in attempting to locate other minor children that Mr. Cole may have been communicating with, either in person or online. The public is asked to contact Deputy Frost at (989) 354-9865 with any other information.

Cole is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. As with all criminal defendants, the charges issued are accusations until, and if, the defendant is convicted.

Statement from the Marcus Police Department:

The Marcus Police Department would like to recognize the men and women of the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office for their outstanding efforts in taking this suspect into custody. What began as an out-of-state suspect using technology and the internet to target a minor in Marcus, Iowa, ultimately resulted in an arrest due to their dedication and investigative work.

As technology continues to evolve rapidly, so does the ability for offenders to access and target children online, increasing the risk to child victims and potential victims alike. The Alpena County Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to justice and willingness to work in partnership with the Marcus Police Department were instrumental in bringing this case to successful resolution and helping ensure the continued safety of our communities.