Fremont firefighter faces new charges in child porn case

FREMONT — A Fremont firefighter accused of possessing child pornography was recently indicted on 34 additional charges. Ashland County grand jurors indicted Brandon R. Mosher, 37, of Ashland, on Feb. 13, representing his second overall indictment. Most recently, he was charged with: • Twelve counts of illegal use of a minor or impaired person in nudity-oriented material or performance, each a fifth-degree felony • Eight counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor or impaired person, each a second-degree felony • Five counts of pandering sexually-oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person, each a second-degree felony • Three counts of identity fraud, each a fifth-degree felony • Two counts of telecommunications harassment, each a first-degree misdemeanor • One count of theft in office, a fifth-degree felony • One count of possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony • One count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony • One count of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, a third-degree misdemeanor According to this most recent indictment, the alleged crimes date back as early as May 2013 when he allegedly downloaded and viewed sexually explicit material that depicted a child "participating or engaging in sexual activity." Mosher was initially indicted by an Ashland County grand jury in September 2025 on three felony charges relating to child pornography. As of late Thursday, Mosher appears to have been released from the Ashland County Jail on his own recognizance, according to court records. Mosher has an upcoming court hearing scheduled for 8 a.m. on March 3. Background In a news release dated Aug. 22, Fremont's safety service director, Kenneth Frost, confirmed that the city was informed of Mosher's arrest and that it was the result of an investigation conducted by the Ashland County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Ashland County jail records indicate that the Ashland County Sheriff's Office arrested Mosher on Aug. 21, one day before the city released its news release. "Upon notification, the city took immediate action in accordance with Ohio law and internal policy," Frost wrote. "We are continuing to review the matter and remain committed to taking all necessary steps on behalf of the city."