Arlington Child Pornography Lawyer

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Arlington Child Pornography Attorney

It is a severe legal matter to be facing accusations of child pornography offenses in Arlington, VA. Under both federal and Virginia law, harsh penalties are imposed on those found guilty of possessing, distributing, or manufacturing child pornography content. Those convicted could be dealing with years of incarceration, lifetime registration as a sex offender, and permanent reputational damage. An experienced Arlington, VA child pornography lawyer from Johnson/Citronberg is here to help you fight back.

At Johnson/Citronberg, our dedicated team of criminal defense attorneys has decades of combined experience successfully helping individuals charged with child pornography-related crimes fight back against their charges. We leverage a results-oriented, client-centered approach, tailoring legal strategies that specifically reflect your case details, concerns, and goals. We guide our clients through the federal court process and work hard to protect them from false child pornography charges. Together, we can start strategizing now during a free initial consultation.

hire best arlington child pornography lawyer

Testimonials from Our Clients

Maybel G.

Jess is known for his meticulous and strategic work style. At his firm, there is a culture of excellence and client focused dedication that is unmatched. He is very thorough during the entire legal process and always finds a way to solve client problems.
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Lyle Cartwright

Jess Johnson is the perfect attorney to overcome serious legal charges! He is very approachable & will use his expertise to give you the best criminal legal defense possible and I know this from personal experience. When you’re going through the scariest period in your life, you need the best lawyer on your side. I give him my highest recommendation!
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What You Need to Know About Federal and Virginia Child Pornography Laws

Knowingly possessing child pornography is a Class 6 felony under Virginia Code § 18.2-374.1:1, with those found guilty facing up to five years in prison. Second-time or repeat offenders could be facing a Class 5 felony with even more stringent punishments.

Charges for distributing or reproducing child pornography are more severe, with Virginia law requiring a prison sentence ranging from at least 5 to 20 years for such offenses. In repeat offense cases, a mandatory minimum sentence of five years is assigned.

Federal laws surrounding child pornography offenses include 18 U.S.C. § 2252 (distribution and possession), 18 U.S.C. § 2251 (production), and 18 U.S.C. § 2252A (material containing child pornography). These come with much stricter penalties, with federal convictions for productions leading to a penalty ranging from 15 to 30 years in prison. Distribution or possession crimes can come with 5 to 20 years in prison. Because digital evidence plays a key role in these cases, analyzing file metadata and access logs can be essential in building a strong defense.


Related Practice Areas

Arlington Child Pornography Case Results

United States v. D.F.
Pilot Found Not Guilty in Major Federal Drug Conspiracy Case

Our client was a pilot and retired military officer. He was accused of knowingly transporting a large quantity of cocaine from southern Texas to Atlanta. If convicted, he likely would have died in prison. We were able to show a jury that our client had no knowledge of the drugs on board his aircraft. The jury returned a not guilty verdict in less than an hour of deliberating.

United States v. R.K.
Federal Judge in Eastern District of Virginia Gives Lowest Possible Sentence to Autistic Client

Our client, a federal employee, was convicted of federal child pornography charges. Based on his autism diagnosis, we convinced a federal judge to give the lowest sentence possible.

United States v. B.J.
Time-Served Sentence in Major Federal Drug Conspiracy Case in Atlanta

Our client was facing life in prison after being charged in a wide-sweeping drug conspiracy case in the Northern District of Georgia. We were able to show that our client was abused by her husband and forced to ingest drugs, which led her becoming addicted. The judge determined that her culpability was the least of the many who were charged and granted our request for a sentence of ‘time-served’ which means no additional jail time. Our client was able to go home to her children the same day that she was sentenced.

Virginia v. R.C.
Dismissal of Child Pornography Charges in Richmond, Virginia for Autistic Client

Our client, a working professional, was charged with distribution of child pornography after law enforcement raided his home. We helped our autistic client and convinced the court to defer all charges for dismissal due to his disability.


Options To Defend Against Child Pornography Charges in Arlington, Virginia

As laws and regulations surrounding child pornography are so stringent and can cause devastating, life-altering penalties, it is crucial to work with experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys who can protect your rights and interests.

An Arlington child pornography defense lawyer from our firm may help you leverage one of the following common defenses:

  • Arguing unauthorized access. An attorney can work with digital forensic evidence to prove that malware or hackers placed the illicit material on your computer or device.
  • Demonstrating a lack of knowledge. We can bring forward strong evidence, such as metadata and communication logs, to show that you were not aware that the illegal files were located on your device.
  • Proving lack of evidence. In order to be convicted of a child pornography-related crime, the prosecution needs to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you distributed or possessed legal material on purpose. We can work to prove otherwise.
  • Showing unlawful law enforcement conduct. If your constitutional rights were breached by law enforcement, a skilled attorney from our team can work to get associated evidence suppressed.

Launch a Strong Criminal Defense Strategy With an Arlington, VA, Child Pornography Lawyer

If you are facing child pornography charges, you do not have to face the situation alone. A dedicated Arlington, VA child pornography lawyer from Johnson/Citronberg is here for you during this challenging time to understand your side of the story, address any immediate concerns you may have, and help you start building up a robust defense.

Schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys today to start discussing your case.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Defenses Against a Child Pornography Charge in Virginia?

Yes, possible defenses against child pornography charges in Virginia include arguing that you were unaware the content was on your device, showing that your Fourth Amendment rights were breached, arguing that law enforcement induced you to cause the crime, and proving mistaken or false allegations. A common defense also involves showing that someone planted files on your computer or mobile device or that it had malware on it. A thorough forensic analysis can help uncover whether the files were unknowingly downloaded or accessed by someone else.

Can I Be Charged If the Person in the Image Was Over 18 but Looked Younger?

Under Virginia law § 18.2-374.1:1(F), a person who is depicted in sexually explicit material that looks as if they are under the age of 18 is to be considered legally a minor based on inference. It is possible, however, to challenge these assumptions by bringing forward virtual forensic evidence or having expert testimony present your side of the story. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you understand your options for defense.

Where Will My Case Be Prosecuted in Virginia?

The location where your case will be prosecuted in Virginia is dependent on various factors, such as the location of your residence, the jurisdiction where the alleged offense happened, and where the material in question was either received, stored, or shared. By working with a detail-oriented criminal defense attorney, you can understand the specific details of your criminal defense process, including where your case may be tried.

What Happens If I Was Running a Website Involved in Child Pornography?

If you have been accused of running a website that involves child pornography content, you could be facing a Class 4 felony under Virginia law. These crimes come with significant criminal penalties, including long periods of incarceration and forfeiture of any assets earned through payment for access to child pornography on your site. It is critical to contact a skilled criminal defense attorney who can help you minimize your charges and penalties.

Can Law Enforcement Seize My Devices?

Yes, under § 19.2-386.31 of the Virginia Code, any device that is said to have child pornography content on it can be subject to the seizure and forfeiture process. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney can help you understand whether the evidence involved in your case was seized according to protocol or if your Fourth Amendment rights were breached. They can also help you leverage other criminal defense strategies associated with the device, such as proving that it wasn’t yours.

Meet Our Attorneys


                                        Jess Johnson

Jess Johnson

Jess B. Johnson is a Partner & Founder at Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC with more than 15 years of experience in criminal defense and civil litigation. He represents clients in federal courts across the country and is licensed in Georgia, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Jess has handled complex investigations, trials, and appeals for elected officials, business leaders, whistleblowers, and individuals. He has secured dismissals, acquittals, favorable sentences, and major whistleblower awards. A University of Georgia graduate, Jess was selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine every year since 2012.

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                                        Cary Jacob Citronberg

Cary Jacob Citronberg

Cary Jacob Citronberg is the Partner and Founder of Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC in Alexandria, Virginia, where he focuses on federal and state criminal defense matters. Licensed in Virginia since 2011, he brings more than 14 years of courtroom experience along with a strong record of advocacy. Cary received his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2010 after earning his B.A. from Northwestern University in 2006. His work has been repeatedly recognized by Super Lawyers, with selections as a Rising Star from 2016 through 2021 and to the Super Lawyers list from 2022 through 2025.

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