Albert Wayne Johnson, an Oregon man, has been sentenced to 12 1/2 years in federal prison and 10 years of supervised release for sexually abusing two 15-year-old girls he met on Snapchat. The incident began when deputies found the minors abandoned in a park outside Portland in Boring, Oregon after they had traveled with Johnson through three states – Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. The girls reported that Johnson had sexually abused them at a motel in Othello, Washington, and one of them at a campground near La Grande, Oregon before abandoning them at a campsite in Barton Park in Boring.
Johnson was arrested at his home in La Grande on an outstanding parole violation warrant in August 2022. Surveillance video from the motel where he abused the girls showed him with them, leading to his arrest. In November of that year, a federal grand jury in Portland charged him with three counts related to engaging in sexual acts with minors and transporting minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Johnson ultimately pleaded guilty to transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
His attorney argued that Johnson did not use physical force or coercion against the girls and suggested a sentence of just over 11 years would be more appropriate. However, prosecutors revealed that Johnson had a history of prior convictions, including luring a minor and attempting to commit sexual abuse in 2018. Despite being under state supervision at the time of the incident, Johnson had violated his conditions of release by changing his address without approval and failing to complete required treatment for sex offenders and substance abuse.
The case highlights the dangers of online predators using social media platforms like Snapchat to target underage victims. Johnson’s actions led to a traumatic experience for the two girls who were abused and abandoned by him. The sentencing serves as a reminder of the severe consequences that individuals who prey on vulnerable minors will face in the criminal justice system. It also underscores the importance of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors working diligently to hold perpetrators of such heinous crimes accountable and seeking justice for their young victims.
Moving forward, it is crucial for parents, guardians, and authorities to be vigilant in monitoring the online activities of minors and educating them about the risks of interacting with strangers on social media platforms. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers that can arise when individuals exploit technology to harm vulnerable individuals, and the need for continuous efforts to protect children from online predators. The sentencing of Johnson sends a strong message that such predatory behavior will not be tolerated, and that those who engage in it will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.
