FRANKLIN, Va. (WAVY) — A 46-year-old man in Franklin was arrested on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material, police said.

Franklin police received a tip in September 2024 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding child sexual abuse that was uploaded to an instant messaging platform.

A subsequent investigation led detectives to identify a suspect in the case.

On Nov. 7, acting upon that information, detectives applied for and obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 100 block of Pocahontas Street, in the city of Franklin. As a result of that search, multiple items were taken to include images of child sexual abuse.

The suspect, Brandon Lockhart, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of possession of child pornography.

Lockhart, pictured below, was transported to Western Tidewater Regional Jail, where he is held without bond.