A disturbing case of child exploitation has come to light in Buffalo, New York. Shawn Johnson, 33, of West Seneca, NY, was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography and destruction of evidence.
According to the complaint, investigators discovered an IP address traced to Johnson requesting suspected child pornography files on a peer to peer sharing network in September 2019. On December 2, 2019, the FBI obtained a search warrant for Johnson’s Angle Road residence.
As investigators entered the residence, they heard loud noises coming from the second floor. They encountered the defendant standing in his bedroom with a laptop computer in his hands, smashing it against the wall trying to damage it.
The laptop, which sustained serious damage, was sent to the FBI’s Digital Forensics Analysis Unit Laboratory for repair. Approximately 80% of the data, which included numerous images and videos of child pornography, was recovered.
The charges against Johnson carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The defendant will make an initial appearance at 12:00 p.m. today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer.
The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen Belongia, and the Cheektowaga Police Department, under the direction of Chief Michael Sliwinski.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Related Federal Cases
- James Johnson, Producing Child Pornography, New York NY, 2023 · Alaska
- Joshua Butler, Child Pornography Possession, New York 2024 · Delaware
- Paul A. Light, Child Pornography Distribution, New York 2023 · Illinois
- Miguel Jimenez Jr, Child Pornography Distribution, New York 2023 · Texas
- Roland Kyzer, Receipt and Possession of Child Pornography, New York · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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