John Tobias Sweeney, Receipt of Child Pornography, North Carolina 2014

RALEIGH

A 38-year-old Jacksonville man has been sentenced to 78 months in prison for his involvement in a child pornography case.

According to the investigation, in March 2013, law enforcement learned of a 12-year-old engaging in explicit communications with John Tobias Sweeney, an online applications such as TextNow and Oovoo.

Sweeney repeatedly requested sexually explicit images from the 12-year-old victim. An undercover agent assumed the identity of the victim and continued the communication through September 2013.

Sweeney was a high school teacher and the girls/boys soccer coach at South Onslow County High School at the time. A search warrant was executed at Sweeney’s residence and the high school in December 2013.

During the search, it was learned that Sweeney used approximately 50 email accounts and fake profiles on chat sites and had nude images of minors on his phone.

A forensic examination of Sweeney’s computer revealed nude images of the victim, which were also duplicated on his thumb drive.

United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced the sentence, which includes 15 years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine.

Sweeney is also required to register as a sex offender.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Wilmington.

Assistant United States Attorney Ethan A. Ontjes prosecuted the case.

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