USVI Man Convicted in Child Pornography Case
A 73-year-old St. Croix resident faces up to 10 years in federal prison following his conviction for possession of child pornography in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands. The verdict concludes years of extensive pretrial litigation stemming from a 2017 joint law enforcement investigation.
Croix man faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 following his conviction by a federal jury for the possession of child pornography, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of the Virgin Islands. The conviction of Johnston marks the conclusion of an investigation that began in March 2017.
The case was handled jointly by Homeland Security Investigations and the Virgin Islands Police Department after authorities received a complaint involving a 10-year-old child who had been taking guitar lessons from the defendant. During the initial investigation, law enforcement officers secured search warrants for Johnston's residence and vehicle.
Executed on May 1, 2017, the search led to the seizure of several electronic devices, including hard drives, a laptop, and a distinct orange flash drive. Subsequent forensic examinations of the storage media revealed numerous illicit images depicting minors. Federal prosecutors formally indicted Johnston in November 2018.
Over the following years, the case navigated extensive legal challenges, including multiple suppression hearings regarding evidence and statements, as well as 13 trial continuances largely requested by the defence to prepare motions. A separate territorial charge of unlawful sexual contact in the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands was dismissed in August 2025 after the alleged victim declined to cooperate with prosecutors.
However, federal authorities maintained the child pornography possession case, using digital evidence recovered during the initial 2017 search. Developments in federal law enforcement and cross-border judicial matters in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands remain of significant interest across the wider Virgin Islands archipelago, where regional authorities frequently collaborate on security and criminal justice matters.
A sentencing date for Johnston has not yet been announced by the US Attorney's Office.
Primary source: VINO