Hopper pleads guilty to child pornography charge

CAPE GIRARDEAU — A former Poplar Bluff police officer pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday morning to a child pornography charge.

Brandon Michael Hopper, 40, pleaded guilty via Zoom to the felony of sexual exploitation of a minor (production of child pornography) before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr., according to Assistant U.S. Attorney John Koester.

The agreed-upon facts of the case say on Feb. 26, law enforcement officials made contact with Hopper at his Poplar Bluff residence in regard to a child pornography investigation.

Hopper “voluntarily agreed to speak with investigators,” according to the plea agreement he signed.

Hopper was a Poplar Bluff police officer at the time and later was terminated after his arrest.

“During the interview, Hopper admitted that he and the defendant, Amber M. Longhibler, had been exchanging pornographic material over the internet,” the plea agreement further says. “Hopper stated he used his mobile phone to send and receive material over the internet.”

Hopper, the plea agreement says, voluntarily turned over his iPhone and gave written consent for investigators to search its contents.

“After turning over the phone, Hopper informed investigators that they would find sexually explicit images depicting ‘minor female No. 1,’” the plea agreement further says. “Hopper explained that ‘minor female No. 1’ was a relative of Longhibler who was under 18 years of age.”

Hopper reportedly described an image, which depicted sexually explicit conduct involving both him and the girl.

“Hopper told investigators that Longhibler took that particular photograph,” the plea agreement says.

Hopper reportedly also told investigators Longhibler sent him several other sexually explicit images of the girl.

Longhibler, the plea agreement says, admitted to taking numerous photographs of the girl using her cellphone, including the photo of the girl with Hopper, and using her iPhone to send images to Hopper.

Investigators reportedly confirmed there were sexually explicit images of “minor female No. 1” on both Apple iPhones.

After accepting Hopper’s plea, Koester said, Limbaugh set sentencing for Jan. 20.

At that time, Hopper faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, and the maximum penalty is 30 years.

At sentencing, the government is expected to dismiss an additional felony of receipt and distribution of child pornography.

In September, Longhibler pleaded guilty as charged to the felony of sexual exploitation of a minor (production of child pornography).

Longhibler faces the same punishment range as Hopper when Limbaugh sentences her on Dec. 8.

The government also is expected to dismiss the felony of receipt and distribution of child pornography against Longhibler at that time.