A Maryland man, Johnny Daniel Duran, 47, of Hagerstown, was sentenced in Alexandria, Virginia to 24 years in prison for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity. Duran was also convicted of committing a sex offense while required to register as a sex offender.
“Johnny Duran’s crimes are abhorrent, and today’s sentence ensures that he cannot continue to prey on children,” said Lindsey Halligan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA). “Thanks to the hard work of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, this child predator has been removed from our communities. EDVA will pursue offenders with the full force of federal law.”
“As part of a Northern Virginia-Washington, DC Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation, the U.S. Secret Service remains committed to investigating crimes that exploit innocent children,” said William Mancino, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Criminal Investigative Division. “We are grateful for all those involved in this case and for the work that was done to ensure a dangerous predator was brought to justice.”
According to court documents, on April 23, 2025, Duran used a social media messaging app to contact someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy in Loudoun County. The individual was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. Duran began discussing sexual topics immediately and continued these conversations into the next night. After learning that the supposed minor’s mother would be away at work that evening, Duran arranged to meet at a Taco Bell for sex.
Duran described his intended sexual activities and repeatedly confirmed he knew the user was 14 years old. When he arrived at the meeting location, law enforcement officers approached him and found multiple cellphones in his possession. One phone contained messages between Duran and the undercover officer and held about 1,700 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse involving infants and toddlers. Officers also found a backpack containing sex toys, lubricant, and a whip.
At the time of this offense, Duran was required by federal law to register as a sex offender due to previous convictions: distribution of child pornography in Maryland state court in 2006 and possession of child sexual abuse material in federal court in Maryland in 2013.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office assisted significantly with this investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Halper prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006—to address child sexual exploitation online by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.
More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
Court documents related to this case are available through PACER by searching Case No. 1:25-cr-226 or on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.
