A retired Air Force Major who also worked as a former substitute teacher has been arrested in Alabama on child porn charges, according to reports.
Officers with the Leeds Police Department arrested Daniel Martin Brown and booked him into the Jefferson County Jail on Thursday, January 1.
Leeds Police Chief Paul Irwin said that authorities searched Brown’s residence on New Year’s Eve, according to WBRC. Brown was booked into the St. Clair County Jail on a hold on December 31, 2025, before he was transferred to Jefferson County the following day.
Authorities recovered videos and images of minors in the home, as well as recording devices. Irwin added that Brown has lived in multiple states over the years, so not all of his victims have been identified yet. Additionally, Irwin said that the videos and images found at Brown’s home were recorded over the course of several years.
Prior to his arrest, Brown briefly worked as a substitute teacher in Leeds. He was licensed to start working as a substitute in Leeds City Schools beginning in January 2021, according to his substitute teaching certificate obtained by WBRC. It is not clear when he last worked for the school district.
In addition to working at a school in Leeds, Irwin confirmed that Brown was also a substitute teacher in Broward County, Florida. However, it’s not known if he worked at any other schools prior to his arrest.
Brown is also a retired U.S. Air Force major, while he is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in Civil Air Patrol.
Following his arrest, Brown is facing more than 20 charges that include possession with intent to distribute child pornography, obscenity — production of pornography with minors, producing obscene material and sex abuse of a child less than 12, according to online records viewed by Us Weekly.
Several of Brown’s charges are listed as attempted offenses, per the online records. Meanwhile, some of the other charges are marked as committed. The alleged offenses he has been arrested for took place on dates between December 2025 and early January 2026.
Brown is currently being held on $1.8 million bond for the combined charges, while he was given individual bonds of $100,000 that were assigned to different counts.
It’s not currently clear if Brown has entered a plea to the charges or retained legal counsel following his arrest.
Irwin also said that police may pursue more charges against Brown as they work with the U.S. Attorney for federal offenses, per the outlet.
A former elementary school teacher who works during the holidays as a Santa-for-Hire has been arrested in New Jersey, where authorities have alleged he both possessed and distributed child pornography. Mark Paulino, was arrested by a multi-agency task force on Friday, December 5, inside the 64-year-old’s Hamilton Township home. Investigators moved quickly on a tip […]
“He’s a sick individual, and I’m glad he’s in jail,” Irwin said of Brown. “Now, we need to make sure he’s punished.”
The Leeds Police did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment.
Law enforcement officials have said that the investigation is still active and ongoing, while officials are currently working to identify potential victims. Additionally, authorities are reviewing extensive digital evidence as they build the case against Brown.
Police are asking that anyone with information relevant to the case contact the Leeds Police Department or any other appropriate law enforcement authorities.
