Man charged for allegedly running CSAM file-sharing program out of Syracuse residence

SYRACUSE, Utah (ABC4) — A man living in Syracuse is accused of running a file-sharing program that allowed online users to download child sexual abuse material (CSAM) files from him thousands of times.

Nicholas Alexander Brauer, 52, has been charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor, 10 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and six counts of prohibited dangerous weapon conduct.

According to court documents, in July 2025, an agent from the Utah Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) was investigating peer-to-peer file sharing on an online platform. The agent discovered that CSAM was being downloaded from a specific IP address. A search warrant on the IP address revealed that it was connected to a residence in Syracuse.

An ICAC member with the Layton Police Department took over the investigation and found that Brauer lived at the Syracuse residence. On Aug. 14, Layton City Police detectives and ICAC served a search warrant on Brauer’s residence and made contact with him.

When officers entered the home, they allegedly discovered that Brauer’s computer was on, and the peer-to-peer sharing software was actively running. Police looked on the computer and discovered that Brauer had organized folders that he was sharing and exchanging with other users. More than 100 files containing CSAM were located on the computer.

“It was abundantly clear that Brauer has been sharing CSAM for quite some time. Of the CSAM files which Brauer had set up to be downloaded by others it appears that other users online were able to download these files over 5,000 times,” court documents read.

Police located additional electronic devices that they took as evidence. They also discovered that Brauer allegedly possessed six firearms, multiple items of drug paraphernalia, more than 71 grams of methamphetamine (approximately 350 doses, documents say), a small weight scale, and small resealable plastic bags.

In an interview with police, Brauer allegedly stated that he had lost his job in Iowa and moved back to Utah to stay with family members in June 2025. According to court documents, he admitted to using the peer-to-peer program, but said that it was primarily to download music. Brauer said that sometimes he would be sent CSAM, and would “preview and then delete them.”

After further questioning from officers, Brauer admitted to “using search terms that he knew would obtain files” with CSAM, and that he had been viewing those files for the past year. He also stated that he knew when the peer-to-peer software was active, other users could access and download the CSAM files on his computer.

Brauer was arrested and booked into the Davis County Jail, where he is currently being held without bail.