local
Man charged with distributing child porn expressed excitement about abusing young boys, investigators say
By Karla Vasquez Mejia, Jordan Gartner at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· June 24, 2026
· 3 min read
ST. LOUIS (KMOV/Gray News) - A Missouri man is being accused of distributing hundreds of videos and pictures containing child pornography online. Authorities note in a District Court of the Eastern District of Tennessee case that 37-year-old Brian Michael Ebbinghaus has been charged with distribu...
Key takeaway The name of the group was called “White American teen boys 14-17,” investigators said.
Why this matters in The Midland
The case of Brian Michael Ebbinghaus, a Missouri man charged with distributing child pornography, has implications for the Midland community as it highlights the need for continued vigilance in protecting children from online exploitation. While the investigation was conducted by federal authorities in Tennessee and Missouri, it serves as a reminder that child pornography is a widespread issue that can affect any community, including Midland. The fact that Ebbinghaus was able to distribute hundreds of images and videos to a group with nearly 500 members is a disturbing reminder of the scope of this problem. As Midland residents, it is crucial to be aware of the potential risks associated with online messaging apps and to take steps to ensure that children are protected from predators like Ebbinghaus. Local law enforcement and child protection agencies must also be proactive in identifying and prosecuting individuals who engage in this type of activity.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Midland stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ST. LOUIS (KMOV/Gray News) - A Missouri man is being accused of distributing hundreds of videos and pictures containing child pornography online. Authorities note in a District Court of the Eastern District of Tennessee case that 37-year-old Brian Michael Ebbinghaus has been charged with distribu...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Karla Vasquez Mejia, Jordan Gartner at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter