Soldier Indicted for Using the Internet to Set Up Sexual Encounter With 13-Year-Old Girl.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against Scott William Johnson, 34, of Lawton, Okla. for using the Internet to arrange a sexual encounter with a person who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, U.S. Attorney John C. Richter of the Western District of Oklahoma announced today.

According to the indictment, on Jan. 20, 2007, Johnson used the Internet to discuss his desire to have sex with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, and to make arrangements to travel to her home. It is alleged that Johnson did travel to the home to have a sexual encounter with the girl. However, Johnson was not communicating with a 13-year-old girl but with undercover personnel working with the Walters Police Department.

According to court records, Johnson is an E-5 Sergeant in the U.S. Army stationed at Ft. Sill, living in Lawton, Okla. If convicted, Johnson faces no less than five and up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In February 2006, Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales launched Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys Offices, 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 identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/.

The case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Walters Police Department and the FBI. This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney William C. Knott, Jr. and Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Sengel.

The public is reminded that the indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

CONTACT: Bob Troester, (405) 553-8999

CONTACT: Bob Troester of the U.S. Department of Justice, +1-405-553-8999

Web site: http://www.usdoj.gov/USAO/OKW