Attorney General Jack Conway and his Cybercrimes Unit have announced the sentencing of a Kenton County man on charges involving child pornography.
Timothy Johnston, 65, was sentenced Tuesday in Kenton Circuit Court after pleading guilty in October 2013 to two counts of possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor.
In March 2013, General Conway's Cybercrimes Unit conducted a month-long investigation after investigators received a complaint from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and AOL that an Internet user had transmitted images of children engaged in sexual acts via email. Cybercrimes investigators executed a search warrant at Johnston's home and an arrest warrant was issued after a review of computers seized from the residence uncovered suspected child pornographic images.
Additionally, General Conway's investigators contacted the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services regarding the investigation after learning that Johnston had two foster children in his care.
"To date, the investigative efforts of my Cybercrimes Unit have resulted in a 100 percent conviction rate," General Conway said. "The Internet is a safer place for Kentucky kids because of my Cybercrimes investigators, who work hard on these types of cases every day."
Johnston was sentenced to 10 years in prison; however, his sentence was probated for five years. Johnston must also register as a sex offender for life. The prosecution of this case was handled by Kenton County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Sanders.
Since its creation in June of 2008, General Conway's Cybercrimes Unit has launched 375 child pornography investigations and seized more than 422,600 child pornographic images and videos from the Internet.
For additional information on General Conway's efforts to protect Kentuckians from Internet predators, visit the Office of the Attorney General's "Cybersafety in Kentucky" page at http://ag.ky.gov/cybersafety/. To report cyber abuse, visit the CyberTipline or call 1-800-843-5678.
