U.S. Attorney Morris Pasqual | U.S. Department of Justice
A man from Evergreen Park, Illinois, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for sex trafficking seven women in the Chicago area, escaping custody, and possessing child pornography. Brian Johnson, 59, used aliases to pose as an art gallery owner or film production company employee. He targeted amateurs seeking careers in artistic nude modeling and film, promising them lucrative salaries and professional connections.
Johnson lured his victims with alcohol during what he called "auditions," where he took explicit photos and videos and had sexual encounters with them. He then claimed that the material was unsatisfactory and demanded reshoots to get paid. In reality, there was no legitimate business or distributor involved.
When victims resisted further participation, Johnson threatened to distribute their images online and followed through on those threats. Despite promises of payment, none of the victims received any money.
Earlier this year, a jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago convicted Johnson of sex trafficking and other offenses after hearing testimony from seven victims. Before the trial, Johnson pleaded guilty to an escape charge for failing to return to federal jail after being granted furlough for his mother's visitation. He fled with numerous images of his victims that included child pornography but was arrested by the FBI three days later near Midway Airport.
U.S. District Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer delivered the sentence on Monday in federal court in Chicago.
The sentencing announcement came from Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI's Chicago Field Office; Phillip Arnold, Chief of Shorewood Police Department; and Michael Saunders, Chief of Evergreen Park Police Department. Assistance was provided by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office and Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elly Moheb and Maureen M. Merin.
Individuals who suspect they or someone they know may be victims of human trafficking are urged to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at https://humantraffickinghotline.org or call 1-888-373-7888 for assistance available 24/7.
