Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Robert Lee Johnson III, 39, has pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of producing child pornography, according to an announcement from John P. Heekin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “This defendant preyed upon and sexually exploited a minor child, but thanks to the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners and the aggressive prosecution by my office, he is on his way to federal prison. Keeping disgusting predators like this defendant locked away is key to keeping our kids safe.”
Original arrest
Johnson was first arrested on September 17, 2025, after the victim reported that she had been in a sexual relationship with him for four years, beginning when she was 14. Investigators with the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office determined that Johnson and the victim had sexual intercourse at his home and at multiple hotels, and that Johnson recorded videos on at least two occasions.
State prosecutors filed charges including sexual battery of a minor, lewd and lascivious battery of a minor, and directing the sexual performance of a child. A sworn complaint also alleged 20 additional offenses tied to sexual battery and child pornography. Johnson was later federally indicted on six counts of production of child pornography.
Each count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of 30 years. Johnson will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Sentencing is set for September 1, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida, before Chief U.S. District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie Utt.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
