Pinellas Man Sentenced To Prison For Receiving Child Sexual Abuse Material

Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Brian David Johnson (38, Pinellas Park) to 7 years and 3 months in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for receiving child sex abuse material. The court also ordered Johnson to pay $23,000 in restitution and forfeit various electronic devices, which are traceable to proceeds of the offense. Johnson had pleaded guilty on June 28, 2023.

According to court documents, in November 2022, the FBI executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence after discovering Johnson was distributing, receiving, and possessing child sexual abuse material. Johnson admitted to law enforcement that he downloaded thousands of child sexual abuse files over time and had viewed images depicting infants being sexually abused. A forensic review of Johnson’s devices revealed approximately 1,400 images and videos of child sexual abuse material, approximately 100 of which depicted toddlers.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.

It is another case brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.