If a person’s electronic devices are seized by law enforcement officials, there generally has to be probable cause to take such actions. In cases where there is no probable cause and there was no search warrant, the person may be able to file a motion with the court to have their devices returned and any evidence on them suppressed. Your attorney can help you determine how the law applies to your particular case.
Charlottesville Federal Child Pornography Lawyer
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Federal Child Pornography Attorney in Charlottesville
Criminal allegations can turn a person’s life upside down in a moment. When those allegations involve offenses like child pornography, an accusation is enough to have a significant impact. If you are facing similar charges, a skilled Charlottesville federal child pornography lawyer at Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC, can help you minimize the damage to your life and reputation and aggressively defend you and your rights.
The trusted legal team at Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC, has a solid track record of successful outcomes for clients facing federal charges. Our nationally recognized lawyers have extensive experience with federal child pornography laws, are well-versed in federal criminal legal defense strategies, and have access to top investigators and forensic experts for the highest possible chance of a positive outcome for your case. If federal agents have seized your devices or opened an investigation, knowing how to protect your privacy and reputation during a federal child pornography investigation can make a crucial difference in limiting exposure and preserving your rights.
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Federal Child Pornography Penalties
The possession, receipt, distribution, or production of child pornography is illegal under Virginia state law and US federal law. Child pornography is defined in legal settings as a visual depiction that involves a person under 18 engaged in conduct considered sexually explicit. Depictions can include a photograph, a video, and images and videos generated by computers, simulations, animations, and altered depictions.
In general, production charges are considered the most severe and carry the harshest penalties, up to 30 years in prison. However, production also includes proving intent, which can make charges more difficult to prove.
Possession, receipt, and distribution are often called non-production charges, and penalties include up to 20 years in prison. Possession just means that a person has the depiction. Receipt means they received it from another person, and distribution means sending it to another person. Of the non-production charges, distribution is usually considered the most severe.
The most recent information shows that 45.8% of child pornography sentences were for possession. Another 41.3% were sentenced for distribution, and 11.1% were sentenced for receipt. Prison time was involved for 99.5% of sentences, with an average of 115 months.
These penalties are shaped by the federal child pornography sentencing framework, which outlines how courts determine imprisonment ranges and financial penalties in these cases.
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Charlottesville Federal 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.
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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Improve Your Chances of a Favorable Outcome in Your Case
The most effective way to improve your chances of a favorable outcome in your case is to hire an experienced federal child pornography lawyer. The attorneys at Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC, have a deep understanding of federal laws and court procedures, a strong track record of successes in federal cases, and professional resources and relationships to create a fierce legal defense for you.
For example, while having an illegal file on your computer or other device can be enough to charge you with a crime, working with an independent expert in computer forensics can often show that an individual did not have knowledge of the file’s existence. Understanding how a computer forensics defense expert can impact your case can make all the difference in how digital evidence is analyzed and presented in court.
Federal Child Pornography Defense Strategies
Each case has its own unique facts and details, and as such, a strong defense must be tailored to the individual case and defendant. However, there are many common strategies that your attorney can use when developing your legal defense.
Some of these include:
- Entrapment by police, meaning a law enforcement officer induced a crime that would not have been committed without their persuasion
- Illegal search and seizure, which means that proper legal procedures were not followed in gathering the evidence against you. As such, any illegally gathered evidence may not be admissible in court.
- Possession by accident is when a user accidentally downloads child pornography without their consent. This can be related to viruses or other malware, hackers, or other means.
- The images do not include a minor. If it can be proved that the people in the materials are not under 18, then it may not be considered child pornography.
- Someone else had access to the defendant’s device and is responsible for the illegal files.
Contact Your Charlottesville Federal Child Pornography Attorney Today
For more than 30 years, the award-winning federal criminal defense lawyers at Johnson/Citronberg, PLLC, have been committed to protecting and defending the rights of people in Charlottesville who are dealing with allegations of criminal offenses.
We strive for excellence in legal representation in every single case we handle, and it shows in our high rate of favorable outcomes. Contact our offices today to discuss your case.
Charlottesville Federal Child Pornography Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet Our Attorneys
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 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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