A federal jury found Julian Russell Clawson, 43, of Tampa, guilty of receiving, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse material, according to a July 13 announcement by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. Clawson faces a minimum penalty of 15 years and up to 40 years in federal prison for each count of receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material, as well as a minimum of 10 years and up to 20 years for possession. He also faces enhanced penalties due to a previous conviction for possessing similar material and is charged with violating supervised release. A combined violation and sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
Testimony and evidence presented at trial showed that Clawson traded illegal content on a social media application. He engaged in explicit discussions about the abuse of minors in public groups on the app as well as with two undercover FBI agents from Sarasota and Jacksonville offices. According to evidence introduced at trial, Clawson distributed illicit materials to both undercover agents during direct message exchanges on multiple dates in April 2023.
Records obtained from the social media platform indicated that Clawson also received such materials through the same application. In June 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant for his cellphone, which revealed more than 250 images and videos depicting child sexual abuse were stored on his device.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI offices in Sarasota and Jacksonville along with assistance from the Tampa Police Department and Hernando County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ilyssa M. Spergel.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child exploitation nationwide through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.