A Minot man has been charged with possession of child sexual abuse material and corruption of a minor following an investigation into his alleged relationship with a juvenile.

Rocky Alex Bruce, 21, made his initial appearance in North Central District Court on Wednesday, Jan. 14, for 20 counts of possession of prohibited materials, 15 of which were Class B felonies and five were Class C felonies; and one Class A misdemeanor count of corruption of a minor victim-victim 15 or older-defendant under 22.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed in the case, which stemmed from a report made by the juvenile victim in August 2025, the victim and Bruce had been in a relationship for about five months. According to the victim, Bruce became physically and sexually abusive, and allegedly forced the victim to view images and videos of CSAM.

A search warrant on Bruce’s residence was executed on Oct. 2, 2025, during which multiple devices were seized.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, during the forensic data extraction process, investigators identified a connection between Bruce’s devices and an IP address identified in a cybertip submitted to the National Center of Missing or Exploited Children by Discord, Incorporated in August. Subsequent subpoenas to internet service providers and cell phone carriers eventually established the cell phone number and IP address associated with the cybertip matched Bruce’s.

The affidavit reviewed numerous explicit videos and images extracted from Bruce’s devices and accounts involving children as young as 2.

Bruce is currently being held at the Ward County Jail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 19.