The Brief
A 36-year-old Irish national, Matthew Liam Johnstone, has been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation and four counts of coercion of a Texas minor.
The charges allege that Johnstone coerced a minor into filming and photographing themselves in sexually explicit acts in September 2022.
If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of up to life in prison.
A 36-year-old Irish national has been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and four counts of coercion and enticement of a Texas child.
What we know
The charges allege that in September 2022, Matthew Liam Johnstone coerced a Texas minor into filming and photographing herself engaging in sexually explicit conduct, including acts of sadism.
If convicted, Johnstone faces up to life in prison. All charges also carry a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
What's next
Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Overman and Trial Attorney Adam Braskich of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) are prosecuting the case.
Dig deeper
The FBI’s Child Exploitation Operational Unit - Criminal Investigative Division conducted the investigation.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative the Department of Justice (DOJ) launched in May 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The Source
Information in this article was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of Texas.
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