Jonathan D. Ross U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas
A man from Houston, Arkansas, has been found guilty by a federal jury on 12 counts of producing child sexual abuse material. The announcement was made by Jonathan D. Ross, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas.
James Johnson, aged 75, was indicted on February 7, 2023. His trial commenced on July 14, 2025, before United States District Judge Brian S. Miller. After two days of testimony, the jury took approximately 90 minutes to deliver a guilty verdict on all charges.
Evidence presented at the trial showed that special agents from the Arkansas State Police met with an employee of Perryville Elementary School on September 28, 2022. They discussed a letter written by a minor child victim to her mother containing allegations against Johnson.
The victims were neighbors of Johnson and were in his care during the time of abuse. The older victim testified that Johnson watched pornography with them present and engaged in inappropriate touching.
On the same day as the meeting with school staff, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Johnson's residence. They seized multiple digital items including Johnson’s Samsung Galaxy cell phone. A review revealed images depicting sexually explicit conduct involving the younger victim.
Johnson is facing a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years for each count in federal prison without parole.
The investigation was led by the Arkansas State Police and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kristin Bryant and Lauren Eldridge.
