May 28, 2014

Chataignier Man Sentenced to 135 Months in Prison for Possessing Child Pornography

LAFAYETTE, LA—United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Ricky Johnson, 53, of Chataignier, Louisiana, was sentenced on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Richard T. Haik to 135 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release for possession of child pornography. He was also ordered to forfeit the devices used in the crime.

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea on February 5, 2014, the investigation revealed that Johnson was downloading child pornography from a file sharing network online in early 2010. In September 2010, Johnson’s computer and other electronic devices were searched, and images and videos of child pornography were found. Johnson has a prior conviction for molestation of a juvenile.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. McCoy prosecuted the case. This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

Those concerned may also leave tips with the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Tips may be submitted anonymously. The Lafayette FBI office number is (337) 233-2164.