Three Rivers resident imprisoned for 15 years after recording sexual video of himself with minor relative

Editor's Note:
This matter occurred on date indicated, but not published at that time due to government shutdown. Press release posted and made available following the return to normal operations.   

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 39-year-old man has been ordered to prison for sexual exploitation of a child, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

Johnathon Roberts pleaded guilty July 24.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now sentenced Roberts to 180 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard additional information including that Roberts had created similar recordings over a period of years. Roberts will serve 10 years on supervised release following the completion of his prison term. During that time, he will have to comply with numerous requirements designed to restrict his access to children and the internet. Roberts will also be ordered to register as a sex offender. Restitution will be determined at a later date.

The investigation revealed child sexual abuse material had been uploaded onto the internet. Law enforcement was able to identify Roberts as the source of the content.

On Oct. 25, 2024, authorities obtained a search warrant for his residence in Three Rivers. At that time, they located and seized Roberts’ cell phone which was found to contain over 150 videos and images of CSAM.

Upon inspection, law enforcement discovered a video recording Roberts made of himself engaging in sexual activity with a minor female. Roberts admitted to law enforcement that he had created the video.

Roberts will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman prosecuted the case, which was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section leads PSC, which marshals federal, state and local resources to locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children and identifies and rescues victims. For more information about PSC, please visit DOJ’s PSC page. For more information about internet safety education, please visit the resources tab on that page.