Marinette Man Gets 12 Years for Soliciting Explicit Images of Minors

Wisconsin Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Soliciting Sexually Explicit Images of a Minor

Grimy Times has learned that a Marinette County man has been sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for soliciting sexually explicit images of a minor. According to court records, David A. Johnson, 37, of Marinette County, Wisconsin, was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach on April 24, 2024.

Johnson used various online media platforms to engage in sexual conversations with minors in Florida and Ohio, requesting explicit visual images from them and sending them explicit images of his genitalia. The minors, however, contacted law enforcement in their respective states, leading to an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

As part of the investigation, an undercover agent arranged to converse with Johnson online, posing as a 14-year-old child. Johnson demanded that the “child” send him explicit images, not knowing that the FBI was monitoring his online activities. Within days of commencing the investigation, Johnson was taken into custody at his residence in Marinette.

At sentencing, Judge Griesbach noted the extremely serious nature of the crime and commended the bravery of the victims who reported Johnson’s actions. The judge also found a strong need to protect the public from Johnson, ultimately determining that a sentence of 12 years in federal prison was a fair and just sentence.

Johnson will also have to spend 15 years on supervised release after completing his prison sentence. He will be required to register as a sex offender under state and federal law. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2006.

The case was investigated by the Green Bay Resident Agency, Milwaukee Division, and the Lima Resident Agency, Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Marinette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.

Grimy Times spoke to Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales for further information: Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov. Follow us on Twitter for the latest crime news and updates from the federal justice system.