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Writer's pictureLucas Nava

Downey: "Protecting children from dangerous child predators is a priority for the FBI"

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Johnny George Gonzalez, 35, of Stratford Texas, was found guilty on multiple counts of sexually exploiting a minor and given a life sentence.


U.S. District Judge Frank Montalvo sentenced Gonzalez to an additional 300 years in prison to be served concurrently with his life term, according to a Sept. 14 Department of Justice news release.


“For eight years, Gonzalez documented his depraved sexual abuse through photographs and videos, which he then shared with pedophiles around the world,” U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff said in the release. “The heinous nature of his conduct will digitally live forever and continue to victimize these children. While this sentence will not repair their pain and damage, it will ensure that he will never again have the opportunity to prey upon children.”


According to court documents, Gonzalez was discovered by Ontario Provincial Police agents in a Dark Web forum where users would exchange videos and pictures of child sex abuse material, the release reported. Gonzalez shared links to digital folders containing thousands of images of child pornography and erotica.

The case was then referred to the FBI, which executed a search warrant at Gonzalez's El Paso residence, according to the release. Agents discovered more than 65 electronic devices containing approximately one million images and videos considered under the law to be child pornography and erotica.


“Protecting children from dangerous child predators is a priority for the FBI. The crimes committed by these offenders cause incalculable damage to their young innocent victims," FBI El Paso Field Office Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey R. Downey said in the release. “I hope today’s sentencing brings some closure to the victims knowing this predator will be in federal prison for a very long time. I want to thank the members of the FBI El Paso’s Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking task force for their work on this case and their commitment to protecting our most vulnerable population, our children, to ensure justice is served for them.”


The case was investigated by the FBI El Paso Division with assistance from FBI Dallas-Amarillo Resident Agency, according to the release. The Ontario Provincial Police also contributed to the investigation, which remains ongoing as the FBI attempts to identify as many child victims as possible. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michelle Winters and Catherine Dos Santos.

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