A Massachusetts man with a history of child sex offenses has pleaded guilty to possessing a vast trove of child sexual abuse material. Eric Robert Johnson, 50, from Billerica, admitted guilt to one count of possession of child pornography in a hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Boston. Johnson, who was indicted in March 2022 following his arrest, now awaits sentencing set for May 2, 2024.
"Possession of child pornography is not a victimless crime because it further victimizes the innocent children who were abused to create these horrific images, and drives demand for the creation of more abusive material," Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy remarked in a press release. Levy noted that Johnson possessed over 5,000 files depicting the sexual abuse of children, including infants. Searches of Johnson's residence and person in February and March of 2022 unearthed 25 electronic devices, some containing vast amounts of illicit material.
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Boston Division, Jodi Cohen highlighted the larger implications of Johnson's activities, stating, "Images of children being sexually abused aren’t just documenting a moment in time. They’re a window into the horrific, ongoing reality for many of these kids." She stressed the importance of apprehending those who fuel the demand for such abusive content as a means to protect children from continued exploitation.
During the investigation, authorities discovered multiple hard drives hidden in various spots at Johnson's home, including adjacent to his bed and within the basement's ceiling. A laptop was also caught mid-operation, running a program to wipe files, it was approximately 56% complete before it was disabled by investigators. Moreover, the searches led to finding not just media files but mutilated dolls and children's clothing hidden under Johnson's bed.
Prior to this case, Johnson was convicted in 1992 for Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault of a Child Under 13 Years of Age in New Hampshire. Since then, his criminal history has warranted a designation as a Level 2 sex offender in Massachusetts. The severity of the charges Johnson now faces include a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years, which may be extended up to 20 years, along with a potential fine of $250,000. The case against Johnson forms part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse across the United States.
