⏱ 2 min read
Dewitt John, a Brooklyn man, was convicted of preying on a 13-year-old girl, exploiting her innocence for his own gratification, in a disturbing case of child exploitation. The crime occurred in March 2024, when John contacted the girl on Instagram after finding her on a Reddit forum. He offered to pay her for photographs, and then proceeded to groom her, sending her explicit messages. The victim, who was just 13 years old at the time, was coerced into producing sexually explicit videos of herself.
The conviction is the result of a thorough investigation by the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York. The case highlights the darker side of the internet, where predators like John lurk, waiting to exploit vulnerable children. The FBI and EDNY have vowed to continue working tirelessly to identify and hold accountable those who exploit the most vulnerable members of our community.
The trial, which lasted three days, was held before United States Circuit Judge Denny Chin, sitting in the Eastern District of New York by designation. The jury returned a guilty verdict on both counts of the superseding indictment, charging John with sexual exploitation of a child and accessing with intent to view child pornography. When sentenced, John faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life imprisonment.
The conviction has been welcomed by law enforcement officials, who see it as a warning to other predators that they will be held accountable for their actions. The FBI and EDNY have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting children from online predators, and will continue to work together to bring those who exploit them to justice.
Related Federal Cases
- Chad Swartwood, Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Child, New York 2024 · Washington
- Aaron Bohannon, Sexual Exploitation of a Child and Distribution of Child Pornography, New York 2020 · Maryland
- John Towers, Child Exploitation, New York 2018 · New York
- John Buckley, Child Pornography Creation, New York 2021 · New York
- John Robert Remlinger, Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, California 2005 · New York
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Sex Crimes
- Defendant: New York
- Location: NY
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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