Former foster parent sentenced to 170 years for secretly recording children
11/17/2022 2:32 pm PST
SANFORD, Fla. (TCD) -- A 48-year-old former foster parent was recently sentenced to federal prison on multiple charges of child exploitation.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida, the investigation began in January 2022 after Seminole County Child Protective Services learned that Justin Dwayne Johnson had been "secretly recording his foster children."
Johnson told a friend about the cameras in his home and said he would record them in the nude, the Attorney's Office said in a news release. Johnson also reportedly had videos of himself touching the children.
During a search of Johnson's cellphone, authorities recovered sexually explicit images and videos of minor children. So far, the FBI has reportedly identified at least 18 child victims. All the identified victims were either under Johnson's care or were able to access his home, according to the Attorney's Office.
Johnson pleaded guilty on July 7. Several months later, on Nov. 17, the Attorney's Office announced that he was sentenced to 170 years in federal prison for four counts of production of child sexual abuse material, one count of production and attempted production of child sexual abuse material, and one count of possession of child sex abuse material.
In a statement, FBI Tampa Special Agent in Charge David Walker said, "Instead of offering a haven for foster children, this predator betrayed the children with a home of horrific abuse."
Chief Cecil Smith of the Sanford Police Department added, "Johnson’s crimes are particularly disturbing, in that he was in a position that is expected to provide protection and care to already vulnerable children, and he exploited that role and further victimized these young children."
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