Dewitt John, Sexual Exploitation of a Child, New York 2024

A Brooklyn man has been convicted of preying on two vulnerable children online, exploiting their innocence for his own gratification and using cash payments to coerce minors as young as 13 into producing sexually explicit videos of themselves.

Dewitt John, 31, was found guilty on both counts of a superseding indictment charging him 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 was announced by Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office.

According to the government's case, John identified a 13-year-old girl who had posted photographs of herself on a Reddit forum and whose posts disclosed her age. He offered to pay the girl for her photographs and then initiated contact on Instagram. Despite the victim expressing discomfort and reluctance to comply, John continued to pressure and coerce her into producing the material.

John also targeted a second 13-year-old minor victim through similar online methods, grooming her and inducing her to send him naked images of herself for his gratification.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The government's case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Section, with Assistant United States Attorney Brooke Theodora and Special Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Elardo leading the prosecution.

The defendant, Dewitt John, will be sentenced in the Eastern District of New York. His age is 31, and he resides in Brooklyn, New York. The E.D.N.Y. Docket No. for this case is 24-CR-492 (DC).

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/brooklyn-man-convicted-sexual-exploitation-child