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Press Release

Registered Sex Offender Indicted for Production and Possession of Child Pornography

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin

Today, United States Attorney James L. Santelle of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced the grand jury returned a three-count indictment against Jermaine L. Johnson (age: 36) formerly of Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Specifically, Johnson was indicted for two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.  Count one of the indictment alleges that on or about July 20, 2009, Johnson knowingly produced child pornography which involved a minor female engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  Count two alleges that on or about August 2, 2011, Johnson again knowingly produced child pornography which involved a second minor female engaging in sexually explicit conduct.  Count three of the indictment alleges Johnson  possessed child pornography on or about March 15, 2012.

 If convicted of production of child pornography, as set forth in count one of the indictment, Johnson faces a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment.  If convicted of production of child pornography, as set forth in count two of the indictment,  Johnson faces a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of 50 years’ imprisonment.  The charge of possession of child pornography carries a minimum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.  The higher minimum mandatory term of imprisonment for counts two and three is the result of Johnson’s prior conviction in 2009, for second degree sexual assault (State of Wisconsin v. Jermaine L. Johnson, Case No: 2009CF00966, Waukesha County)

This case was investigated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  Assistant United States Attorney Penelope L. Coblentz has been assigned to prosecute this case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice.  Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.          

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Updated January 29, 2015