A Roanoke man has pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual exploitation material after sending explicit videos to an undercover FBI officer through a social media app.
Christopher Allan Johnson, 54, admitted guilt to one count of possessing child sexual exploitation materials involving a prepubescent minor. According to court documents, on October 10, 2024, Johnson accessed the Kik messaging platform after leaving the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, Virginia. He joined a public group focused on incest and began communicating with an undercover FBI task force officer. During their conversation, Johnson discussed his sexual fantasies involving children.
The following day, Johnson sent three videos depicting graphic sexual exploitation of children to the undercover officer. At least one video involved a prepubescent minor.
Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci commented on the case: “Protecting young people from online predators is a key priority of law enforcement. This case serves as a warning to all parents – these threats are real, and they are ever-present in today’s online world. Please take steps to monitor what your children are doing online and who they are communicating with.”
Ian Kauffman, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division, stated: “The FBI Richmond team dedicates countless hours to investigating subjects who seek to harm those who are most vulnerable, because there are few callings higher than protecting our children. May today’s guilty plea sends a message to all child predators that we’re going to find them and bring them to justice.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation into this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew Inman is prosecuting for the United States.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at protecting children from exploitation and abuse by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.projectsafechildhood.gov/ .
