NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JOSHUA STEPHEN JOHNSON (“JOHNSON”), age 32, of Metairie, Louisiana, was indicted on September 17, 2026, for receipt of child pornography, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2252(a)(2) and (b)(1), announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
If convicted, JOHNSON faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five (5) years and a maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, and/or a fine of up to $250,000.00. In addition, JOHNSON faces a term of supervised release of no less than five (5) years and up to life and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. JOHNSON may also be required to register as a sex offender.
According to court documents, allegedly, beginning at a time unknown, and continuing until on or about June 26, 2026, JOHNSON, did knowingly receive, and attempt to receive, digital images, computer images, and digital video files that involved a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations; the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office; and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation in investigating this matter. The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Anne Flippo, of the Public Integrity Unit and Human Trafficking Child Exploitation Task Force.
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 Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and 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 Justice.gov/PSC.* * *